Difference Between Flash Flood and Riverine Flood

Flash Flood vs Riverine Flood

Flash flood and riverine flood are very devastating catastrophe that Nature may inflict on us. Floods bring great damage to our homes and communities but the changes in the weather condition may not only be blamed, most often it is us humans who causes floods as we continue to cut down trees.

What is Flash Flood?

Flash flood is a term for a flood that occurs at a faster rate. Basically, the soil and the trees can “absorb” all of the rain water, however, due to development of buildings and homes without proper drainage, the soil is not able to hold on too much water. This causes rapid rise of flood water and may sometimes be more than 6 feet.

What is Riverine Flood?

Riverine flood is a flood coming from overflowing of rivers or runoff caused by continued rain fall which may last for days. Riverine flood takes time to build up and also takes time to go away. Due to this nature, people can have more time to evacuate to higher grounds. Most often, places near a river often experience riverine flood.

Difference between Flash Flood and Riverine Flood

Floods, whether it occurs rapidly or slowly, can bring damages to human lives. Flash floods can bring forth more damages as people cannot respond rapidly when it occurs. People cannot evacuate immediately and some even lost their lives. On the other hand, when a riverine flood happens, people can still have more time to prepare and evacuate to a safer place. This is because a flash flood occurs rapidly, without warning while riverine flood occurs slowly due to continued rain. Also, riverine flood can bring positive effects such as replenishing the rich top soil while flash flood only brings losses.

Floods are not only an “act of God” as it is more a result of human carelessness. As we continue cutting trees and building cities without proper urban planning, then we will always be inflicted with stronger floods.