EFFECT OF URBANIZATION ON FLOOD - A REVIEW WITH RECENT FLOOD IN CHENNAI (INDIA)

Flood is a temporary overflow of a normally dry area due to overflow of a body of water, unusual buildup, runoff of surface waters, or abnormal erosion or undermining of shoreline. Floods can also be overflow of mud flow caused by buildup of water underground. Increased urbanization has added to the increase of flash floods as well as higher flood levels. Urbanization refers to the modifications made to a natural landscape through paving, lodging and building. How does this affect us? Cement is not capable to soak up water ?compared to natural soil- to this excess water is directed to nearby streams, which then overflow, due to the excess amount of water. The urbanization of a catchment area ? land whose waters drains into a body of water- dramatically impacts the characteristics of river flooding. There is a correlation between the increase of urbanization, the percentage of the basin paved and the recurrence interval of the flood. (Hollis, 431). We must be aware that our conscious effort for expansion and living space can actually precipitate a natural hazard. We put ourselves in areas where there is a higher chance for flooding due to the scenic views, the serenity of it all, etc. This paper emphasizes the effect of flood flows in urban environmen