Global effect of flood

Floods make an enormous impact on the environment and society. Floods destroy drainage systems in cities, causing raw sewage to spill out into bodies of water. Also, in cases of severe floods, buildings can be significantly damaged and even destroyed. This can lead to catastrophic effects on the environment as many toxic materials such as paint, pesticide and gasoline can be released into the rivers, lakes, bays, and ocean, killing maritime life. Floods may also cause millions of dollars worth of damage to a city, both evicting people from their homes and ruining businesses. Floods cause significant amounts of erosion to coasts, leading to more frequent flooding if not repaired.

Uganda, October 2007

Aid agencies in Uganda are struggling to reach tens of thousands of people in the east and north of the country, two months after rains inundated the area. Around 400,000 people lost their homes or crops after Uganda's heaviest rainfall in a generation. One-Third of the country is under water



Pakistan, August 2010

Heavy rain has continued to occur throughout Pakistan since the initial heavy downpour on July 29, and the flooding has impacted an estimated 14 million people, killing over 1,300 at time of writing.

Australia, 2011

About 1,200 homes across Queensland have been inundated since heavy rains set in last month, with another 10,700 suffering some damage, officials say. Four thousand people have been forced from their homes. As of 28 January 2011, 35 deaths have been attributed to the floods, 21 of which are from the Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley area. Additionally, 9 people are listed as missing, after the catastrophic flash flood struck Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, Brisbane and Ipswich.

Global-flood-map

This is what will happen if sea levels rise by 6 inches

(green = sinking area)

Reference:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7050903.stm

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/weather/08/12/heat.floods.extremes/index.html?iref=allsearch

http://www.police.qld.gov.au/News+and+Alerts/Media+Releases/2011/01/death_toll_jan24.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12124805

http://globalfloodmap.org/
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/uganda_41017.html