Prelims Perspective: What needs to be learned?

• What is it?
• Causes
• Areas Affecting 
• Mitigation

Mains Perspective: Notes need to be prepared

• • Climatology (GS I- Geography)
  • Classification of Disaster (GS III – Disaster Management)

What needs to be known?

• Flash Flood
  • What is it?:  A flash flood is a sudden, rapid flooding event that occurs within minutes to a few hours.
  • Causes
    • Cloudburst or intense localised rainfall.
    • Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Himalayan regions.
    • Dam or embankment failure.
    • Urbanisation leading to impervious surfaces and blocked drainage.
    • Deforestation and slope destabilisation in hill areas.
  • Areas Generally Affecting
    • Hilly Terrain: Flash floods in the Himalayas (Uttarakhand) and Afghanistan.
    • Urbanised Region: Flash flood in an urban region like Chennai.
    • Arid and Semi-Arid: Rajasthan dry river beds
  • Impact
    • Socio – Economic Impact: Destruction of property, infrastructure damage, loss of crops, livestock, and human lives.
    • Geomorphological: May trigger mudslides and landslides.
  • Mitigation Strategy: Implementing early warning systems, enhancing urban planning and land use management, constructing flood control structures such as levees and floodwalls, managing vegetation to reduce soil erosion, and promoting community preparedness and education initiatives.

Source: The Indian Express