ABSTRACT
In Webster’s New International Dictionary, a ‘flood’ is defined as a ‘great flow of water... especially, a body of water, rising, swelling, and over-flowing land not usually thus covered; a deluge; a freshet; an inundation’. Commonly, it is considered to be a phenomenon associated with an unusually high stage or flow over land or coastal area, which results in severe detrimental effects. ‘Flood control’ implies all measures taken to reduce the detrimental effects of flood. There exist several types of flooding such as: • River Flooding: This is the major cause of flooding extensive areas as a result of heavy
rains in the catchment areas as well as local areas thereby increasing the river levels. • Flash Floods: This results due to heavy rains in hilly areas which cause local rivers and
small streams to rise to dangerous level within a short period of time say 6 to 12 hours. Heavy and continuous rains in local areas can cause flash floods.
