Tulvat

Tulvat, or floods, refer to the temporary inundation of land by water. They can result from overflowing rivers, prolonged or intense rainfall, rapid snowmelt, coastal storm surge, or dam and levee failures. Floods are commonly categorized by origin: river floods (freshets), flash floods, urban floods caused by overwhelmed drainage systems, and coastal floods driven by tides and storms.

Causes and risk factors include hydrological conditions of catchments, soil saturation, snowpack, precipitation intensity and duration, land cover, and the operation of water infrastructure. Climate change is expected to alter flood regimes by increasing the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events and extreme weather, thereby potentially increasing flood risk in many regions.

Impacts of tulvat range from direct property damage and infrastructure disruption to agricultural losses, contamination of water supplies, and health risks. Flooding can also cause erosion, transport of debris, and displacement of people or communities, particularly in low-lying or densely populated areas.

Monitoring and forecasting rely on weather forecasts, rainfall measurements, river gauges, and hydrological models to predict water levels and discharge. Early warning systems, risk maps, and evacuation plans are used to reduce harm.

Mitigation and adaptation include structural defenses such as levees, floodwalls, reservoirs, and retention basins, together with land-use planning, zoning, and flood-proofing of buildings. Nature-based approaches—wetland restoration, restoring floodplains, and permeable urban surfaces—can help absorb excess water and reduce peak flows. Preparedness also depends on coordinated emergency response and public communication.