How do floods take place?

Answer 1

floods take place if there is a huge amount of rainfall which increases the volume of water running into the river causing it to overflow. Also if there is little trees or vegetation in the drainage basin (surrounding area) then these do not intercept the flow of the water or absorb the water from the ground again causing a sudden influx of the water that the river cannot cope with. Another way is if the land around the river is mainly used for houses and roads because these impermeable (not absorbing) surfaces do not absorb water and therefore cause more surface run off again causing the river to burst its banks. Finally if the ground is dry, frozen or saturated (full up of water - cannot absorb any more) then there is very little or no water absorption again causing increased surface run-off and at a faster rate so the river will flood.