Final answer:
The increase in flood frequency can largely be attributed to (a) climate change, (b) urbanization and land use changes,
(c) deforestation, and (d) poor water management practices. These factors, in conjunction with sea-level rise and extreme weather events, intensify the severity of floods and their impacts on societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main causes of the increased incidence of floods in the past few decades are:
- Climate Change: Altered weather patterns such as abnormally heavy rainfall or prolonged droughts contribute to the increase in flood events.
- Urbanization and Land Use Changes: Expansion of cities and changing land use can disrupt natural waterways and reduce land's ability to absorb water.
- Deforestation: Removal of trees reduces the land's capacity to absorb rainfall, increasing the likelihood of floods.
- Poor Water Management Practices: Inefficient water use, lack of proper drainage, and insufficient or damaged water control infrastructure can exacerbate flood conditions.
Compounding the issue, factors like sea-level rise, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and societal impacts like overcrowded housing in vulnerable areas are making floods more devastating. Long-term effects of these flooding events include destruction of habitats, decrease in food supply due to devastated agricultural lands, and potential increases in climate refugees.
Therefore, addressing these root causes is crucial to mitigating the risks and impacts of flooding.