Atmospheric hazards that could cause river flooding include extreme weather events like heavy rainfall, prolonged droughts, desertification, environmental degradation, debris flows, and sea-level rise. The management of dams and the long-term environmental impacts of deforestation and mining can also contribute to flooding.
Several atmospheric hazards can lead to river flooding, significantly impacting the environment and human societies. Extreme weather events, such as abnormally heavy rainfall, can cause rivers to overflow their banks, while prolonged droughts followed by rain may lead to the ground being too hard to absorb water quickly, resulting in runoff and potential flooding.
Desertification and environmental degradation exacerbate these effects by reducing the land's natural ability to absorb and manage water flow. The infrequency and intensity of such events have been on the rise, likely due to climate change, leading to increased flood occurrences.
In addition, when slope materials become saturated, debris flows or mudflows may occur, which can block rivers and cause flooding. Other factors such as the operation of dams and water management systems, and the long-term consequences of environmental issues like deforestation or mining, also play a role in river flooding. Environmental changes, such as sea-level rise, also pose a threat to low-lying areas by increasing the potential for flood damage.