A city located on a large river has a history of moderate flooding over its 150-year history. However, the severity and magnitude of flooding has increased dramatically in the past 30 years.

 

Give some possible reasons, both natural and human-induced, as to why such increased flooding might occur? Provide at least three (3) actions to minimize the severity and magnitude of flooding?

Answer:

reasons for flooding:

- Excessive levels of precipitation occurring over a prolonged period of time.

-The melting of snow particularly when the subsoil is still frozen, so that infiltration capacity is reduced

-Climatic hazards such as cyclones in Bangladesh, hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico or deep low-pressure weather systems in mid-latitudes bring abnormally large amounts of precipitation

-The nature of the drainage basin has an influence on the  likelihood of flooding.

- urbanization

-deforestation

management of flooding:

-building embankments along river channels

-The river channel may be widened or deepened allowing it to carry more water. A river channel may be straightened so that water can travel faster along the course. The channel course of the river can also be altered, diverting floodwaters away from settlements.

-planting trees near the river

-Local authorities and the national government introduce policies to control urban development close to or on the floodplain.