A flood (in Old English flod, a word common to Teutonic languages; compare

German Flut, Dutch vloed from the same root as is seen in flow, float) is an
overflow of water, an expanse of water submerging land, a deluge. In the
sense of "flowing water", the word is applied to the inflow of the tide, as
opposed to the outflow or "ebb". The Flood, the great Universal Deluge of
myth and perhaps of history is treated at Deluge in mythology.

Main causes
Since prehistoric times people have lived by the seas and rivers for the
access to cheap and quick transportation and access to food sources and
trade; without human populations near natural bodies of water, there would
be no concern for floods. However fertile soil in a river delta is subject to
regular inundation from normal variation in precipitation.

Floods from the sea can cause overflow or overtopping of flood-defenses like
dikes as well as flattening of dunes or bluffs. Land behind the coastal defence
may be inundated or experience damage. A flood from sea may be caused by
a heavy storm (storm surge), a high tide, a tsunami, or a combination thereof.
As many urban communities are located near the coast this is a major threat
around the world.

Rock River floodwaters in downtown Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.Many rivers that

flow over relatively flat land border on broad flood plains. When heavy the
deposition of silt on the rich farmlands and can result in their eventual
depletion. The annual cycle of flood and farming was of great significance to
many early farming cultures, most famously to the ancient Egyptians of the
Nile river and to the Mesopotamians of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers .

Flooding caused by a severe thunderstorm in Hialeah, FloridaA flood happens

when an area of land, usually low-lying, is covered with water. The worst
floods usually occur when a river overflows its banks. An example of this is
the January 1999 Queensland floods, which swamped south-eastern
Queensland. Floods happen when soil and vegetation cannot absorb all the
water. The water then runs off the land in quantities that cannot be carried in

stream channels or kept in natural ponds or man-made reservoirs.

Domestic Effects : The number of people affected by the current wave of

flood in the State reaches to an uncountable number.

Erosion of people continues in several places of the effected place.

City drainage systems fail to serve their purpose.

Drains carry the polluted waste water which should have actually gone to a
sewerage system for treatment.

National Effects :

Soil erosion is one of the main effects of heavy floods.

The rivers flow above the danger level.

The affective places remain cut off with the rest of the country. All the rivers
rise rapidly.

Insufficient stock of food and medicine to cope with the situation is the
another effect.

The flood waters also damages several hutments, granaries, fisheries,

standing crops.

Several roads and relief camps may also be submerged by flood water.

Landslides followed by incessant rains during floods is a very common

phenomena. Flood-producing rains can trigger catastrophic debris slides.

Floods can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and
scour out new channels. Flood waters can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet and
often carry a deadly cargo of debris.

Basic Prevention... Regardless of how a flood occurs, the rule for being safe is
simple: head for higher ground and stay away from flood waters. Even a
shallow depth of fast-moving flood water produces more force than most
people imagine. The most dangerous thing you can do is to try walking,
swimming, or driving through flood waters. Two feet of water will carry away
most automobiles.

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in the event a flood does occur, do not try to cross flooded areas. A good rule
of thumb is that if the water is above your knees, do not try to cross it, either
on foot or in a car. Maintain a safe distance, a minimum of six feet, away from
running water, drains and ditches to prevent falling in. You should report any
damaged electrical equipment, buildings and roadways to local emergency
services immediately. Do not try to clear or repair damaged areas on your
own. You should also make sure that both you and your family go to safety
immediately. Do not linger to sight-see or attempt to help emergency crews
unless asked to do so.

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