How is flooding dangerous for people?
Primary effects * Physical damage – Can range anywhere from bridges, cars, buildings, sewer systems, roadways, canals and any other type of structure. * Casualties – People and livestock die due to drowning. It can also lead to epidemics and waterborne diseases. Secondary effects * Water supplies – Contamination of water. Clean drinking water becomes scarce. * Diseases – Unhygienic conditions. Spread of water-borne diseases. * Crops and food supplies – Shortage of food crops can be caused due to loss of entire harvest. However, lowlands near rivers depend upon river silt deposited by floods in order to add nutrients to the local soil. * Trees – Non-tolerant species can die from suffocation. Tertiary/long-term effects * Economic – Economic hardship, due to: temporary decline in tourism, rebuilding costs, food shortage leading to price increase etc.
