Kerala experiences seasonal flooding when heavy rainfall causes its 44 rivers originating from the Western Ghats to overflow. Flooding also regularly occurs in the Brahmaputra Valley in the Himalayas and other mountainous areas due to heavy catchment rainfall, which can lead to flash flooding. Recent floods in Kerala and Uttarakhand demonstrate this risk. To reduce flooding risks, people should avoid building on river banks, protect natural rainwater sinks like paddy fields, construct banks along rivers, and stop sand mining.

1. The Flood
• Kerala is home of 44 rivers that orginate from
the slopes of the sahyadri. They flood for a few
days during the rainy season.
• When a large quantity of water flow into the
river during the rainy season, the river will not
be able to hold excess water and it overflows.
This is flood.
• Flood occur in the himalayan rivers especially
in the brahmaputra valley. These is due the fact
that the catchment areas of these rivers
generally recieve heavy rainfall.

3. • Flood occur not only in the valleys but in the
hilly terrain as well. The phenomenon of
sudden rise of water level following heavy rain
is called Flash flood.
• The recent flood in kerala and uttarakhand is
an example.
• This phenomenon occurs in deserts also owing
to the rare rains.

5. • Do not build houses on the river banks
• Do not reclaim the paddy fields. They are the
naturak sinks for rain water.
• Construct bunds on the river banks.
• Stop sand mining.