(a) The term flooding: Flooding is the covering of the surface of the earth with water, resulting from temporary rise in the level of a river, lake or other water bodies.
(b) Causes: The causes are as follows:
(i) Heavy rainfall.
(ii) Blockage of drainage and water ways.
(iii) Encroachment on water courses by settlement.
(iv) Ground water coming out from over-saturated aquifer.
(v) Rivers overflowing their banks.
(vi) Release of excess water from reservoirs or dams.
(vii) The collapse of dams and rise in sea level.
(c) Effects: Flood would result in the following:
(i) Destruction of farmland.
(ii) Destruction of houses and properties.
(iii) Loss of life.
(iv) Shortage of food and high cost of food
(v) Outbreak of diseases and epidemics
(vi) Causes landslides and mudflow.
(vii) Temporary stoppage of economic activities such as schooling, marketing etc
(viii) Contamination of source of domestic water.
(d) Measures of control;
(i) Channelization
(ii) Enforcing environmental laws.
(iii) Clearing of drainage channels regularly.
(iv) Dredging of river course.
(v) Regular maintenance of dams.