Floods

Explain why floods happen and how to control them.

Floods: run-off exceeds channel capacity; also storm surges, long heavy rain, snowmelt, silt.

Human causes: deforestation, bad farming, blocked channels, settling floodplains.

40 million ha flood-prone (Rashtriya Barh Ayog); Assam, West Bengal, Bihar most; flash floods in the west; Tamil Nadu in winter.

Effects: crops, infrastructure, homes, cattle lost; water-borne diseases; but fertile silt (Majuli).

Control: embankments, dams, afforestation, removing encroachments, cyclone centres.

Rivers need room; people keep taking it.

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