Tulviminen

Tulviminen is a Finnish term that refers to the flooding or inundation of land by water. It denotes the process by which normally dry areas are temporarily or permanently covered by water, arising from various hydrometeorological conditions. In hydrology, tulviminen can be categorized into several types: fluvial (river) flooding when rivers exceed their banks; pluvial (surface) flooding caused by heavy rainfall, particularly in urban areas; and coastal flooding resulting from storm surges or high tides. It can also occur due to rapid snowmelt or dam or levee failures.

Causes and drivers include heavy precipitation, rapid snowmelt, ice jam formation, dam releases, and coastal storms. Urbanization and land-use change increase runoff and reduce infiltration, raising flood risk. Climate change is expected to alter the frequency and intensity of tulviminen in many regions.

Impacts of tulviminen include damage to homes and other structures, roads and utilities, disruption of transportation and economic activity, crop losses, and risks to health and safety. Secondary effects may include water contamination, mold growth, and displacement of residents.

Monitoring and management involve flood forecasting, early warning systems, and hydrological modeling to predict water levels and flood extents. Mitigation measures include physical defenses (dikes, levees), drainage improvements, retention basins, floodplain zoning, and green infrastructure. Preparedness and response planning are coordinated by national and regional authorities.

In Finland, organizations such as the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the Finnish Environment Institute assess flood risk, issue warnings, and support land-use planning and infrastructure design to reduce vulnerability to tulviminen.