Flood is a natural disaster that affects people and ecosystems in many different ways. The immediate impact of flooding can include loss of life, destruction of crops and animals and ongoing damage to property and health. Floods can also cause widespread disruption of infrastructure including transportation, power transmission and energy generation.
The causes of Flood are varied and include dam breaks, riverbank erosion, snow melt, storm surges, and ice breakup. These events can cause significant and lasting impacts on water quality, land use, and biodiversity. Some types of floods are more severe than others. In general, extreme floods are detrimental to ecosystem services and human health while small and seasonal floods have positive effects.
During floods, the contaminated water can be a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry diseases like dengue and malaria. Moreover, the flooding can infiltrate and damage sanitation systems allowing sewage to overflow and contaminate drinking water. This can increase the incidence of diarrheal and gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses, including cholera and hepatitis A.
The contaminated water can also infect open wounds, particularly if it contains legionella, which can cause a dangerous strain of pneumonia. Standing water can also contain chemicals from leaking cars and fuel tanks. Lastly, the flooding can pick up waste from sewers and farms causing bacterial contamination of drinking water. This type of contamination can lead to a number of infections, from simple diarrhea and GI disorders to more complex pathogens with complicated transmission pathways like schistosomiasis and malaria.
About the Author
