Causes of Floods and Efforts to Overcome It – Almost everyone does not like when it rains because there will be some low areas that will be flooded. Flooding is a condition where there is an excessive overflow of water which can result in the submergence of an area. Floods in large volumes can inundate an area.
Flood conditions will get worse when the water absorption system in urban areas is still relatively minimal. Not to mention, if there is damage to one of its parts. Not only that, the flood water will be higher when rivers and sewers are clogged with various kinds of garbage. So do not be surprised if the floods that occur in big cities like Jakarta can reach the chest height of adults.
The causes of flooding need to be identified so that preventive and handling actions can be taken. The reason is that the cause of flooding cannot be separated from human behavior that is not disciplined in protecting the environment. Preparing various anticipatory actions can also be done so that floods do not occur and harm the community.
When this disaster occurs, many people lose their property, it can even cause casualties. Because of this, it is fitting for us as humans to protect nature so that there are no more floods that will harm many people.
Cause of Flood
1. Illegal Logging
The first cause of flooding is illegal logging. Illegal logging is also one of the causes of flooding that needs attention. This is related to trees which have a function in permeating water that falls to the ground. If rainwater cannot be absorbed completely, then this will increase the risk of banjir bandang, especially if the center of the flood is in the hills.
In addition to heavy flooding, when trees are cut down illegally, there will be a risk of landslides. This is because one of the factors of landslides is the inability of the soil to withstand the load of water that continuously hits. This will get worse if the location is around a fairly steep cliff.
2. High Rainfall
The next cause of flooding is high rainfall. This certainly affects the increase in the discharge and volume of water on land. If the water is not quickly absorbed by the soil or streams, this can cause flash flooding.
If heavy rains have dragged on for a long time, there will be a high potential for flooding. Especially in areas that also have low land contours. If the location of the collection of water is in a higher area. Of course it will have a devastating effect on all the life beneath it. Therefore, making sure that water infiltration is well maintained is very important.
3. Dispose of Garbage Carelessly
The cause of this one flood certainly does not need to be doubted, and has been repeatedly reminded by everyone. Bad habits in littering will definitely have a bad impact on the environment. In addition to polluting the environment and becoming dirty, other types of waste such as plastic waste will hamper the flow of the river if there is garbage stuck in it.
When garbage gets stuck, the river flow will stop and its volume will get bigger. When the volume gets bigger, it will have the potential to cause an effect in the form of a very large pressure.
4. Small River Capacity
The small capacity of the river can sometimes also be one of the causes of unavoidable flooding. The higher the rainfall, the more volume of water that should be accommodated by the river. However, due to imbalance, eventually the water exploded in the surrounding area.
Also Read : Types of Environmental Pollution That Can Damage the Earth
Not only that, the higher the location of the water does have a damaging impact on the location below it, and just imagine when the location of the water is above and has a very large volume. Of course it would be very dangerous for people living in the lowlands or below.
5. Areas That Have Lowlands
The cause of flooding is also influenced by low-lying areas. The high and low land factor is even a very big factor in the cause of banjir bandang.
This is because when water descends from a higher ground, it will certainly accelerate when it goes down. This is something to watch out for, because the strong current of the water can even destroy the walls of the house.
How to Prevent Flood
1. Dispose of trash in its place
Thousands of times, the appeal to not littering has been echoed. But in fact, this bad behavior is still widely practiced. In fact, this can be the cause of flooding, diarrhea, dengue fever, and various other diseases.
Throwing garbage carelessly in various locations, ranging from ditches, rivers, to the sea, is always at risk of causing flooding.
Garbage dumped on asphalt roads can easily move to waterways due to wind or other objects.
Even though you feel that what is thrown away is only small garbage, but if the small garbage accumulates from hundreds or even thousands of people doing the same thing, then it still can clog the channels and the rainwater absorption process.
Therefore, make sure you always throw trash in its place. If at that time there is no trash can, then first store the object you want to throw in your bag and throw it away when you find a trash can.
2. Planting trees or plants around the house
Planting trees or other plants in the environment around the house, can help prevent flooding on a small scale. The reason plants are important for the water absorption process is because of their roots.
Plant roots can be a natural “hose” that drains rainwater from the sky to enter the soil and stored as groundwater reserves.
Without plant roots, rainwater that falls will not be able to absorb into the soil properly, causing buildup or puddles above the soil surface.
3. Make a good water channel
In addition to planting trees, you also need to make good drainage around the house, so that rainwater that falls does not accumulate on the ground or asphalt around the house.
For those of you who live in flooded areas, in addition to trying to increase the height of the garage so that flood water does not enter easily, try reviewing the surrounding waterways. If it’s not good, fix it immediately so that rainwater can flow properly.
4. Increase water absorption area
For those of you who have a yard or yard, try not to cover everything with concrete or asphalt.
If it is not possible to make it completely soil, use paving so that there is still land for water absorption.
5. Routinely clean the gutter of the house
Do regular community service every two weeks or every month in the home environment to clean the gutters. In addition to preventing flooding, this activity will also prevent gutters from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes and rats that cause disease.