One of the most dramatic urban problems in the lives of many people living in the cities is the occurrence of floods, which cause damage involving material losses and, in some cases, even lives. That's why it's important that we understand this problem in order to find the best ways to avoid it.
At floods and floods are often caused by the flood of a river, causing its waters to rise above normal in times of heavy rain. Thus, its waters end up “invading” the living space of many people, as well as streets and commercial developments. The causes of floods are related to natural factors and also to human actions or even a combination of the two factors.
Many rivers have two types of beds through which their waters flow: a smaller and less extensive one, in which the water spends most of the time, and a larger one, which is only occupied by water in times of rain or longer periods rare. Sometimes, this larger bed takes years to be invaded by water, so that it is occupied by houses that will eventually be hit by the river and will suffer from the floods.
Another cause of flooding is the occurrence of an unusual amount of rain, which can manifest itself at levels much higher than forecast by meteorologists. This could happen because of a problem in the atmosphere, because of Global Warming or a natural climate catastrophe.
But the most common causes of flooding in cities are related to the harmful effects of some human practices on the environment. The first one is the pollution excessive, which clogs manholes and galleries built to retain and prevent the accumulation of rainwater in the streets. This pollution also increases the volume of rivers and causes them to flood an area larger than normal.
Another human practice responsible for flooding is deforestation, especially in areas located near the banks of a river. This vegetation is responsible for “holding” the waters that expand or reduce their speed. Another function is to reduce slope erosion, so that when there are no trees in the area, many fall sediments (rock particles) and earth in the river bed, making it more voluminous and also widening it, which causes the floods.
Therefore, one way to fight and avoid floods is to live in harmony with nature. This means not polluting cities, disposing of garbage correctly and reducing the cutting of vegetation that protects watercourses. In addition, it is important to carry out urban planning actions, especially in neighborhoods and regions that are located in the vicinity of rivers.
By Me. Rodolfo Alves Pena
