Picture by Avijit Ghosh
Since
the
year
2000,
flood-related
disasters
have
increased
by
134%.
Floods
have
large
social
consequences
for
communities
and
individuals.
Immediate
impacts
of
floods
include
loss
of
human
life,
property,
crops,
and
livestock.
Another
dire
consequence
is
health
deterioration
due
to
waterborne
diseases
and
malnutrition.
It
takes
months,
if
not
years,
for
communities
to
recover
from
floods.
Just
like
droughts,
floods
also
negatively
affect
how
we
grow
our
food.
By
impacting
crop
yield,
causing
soil
erosion
and
nutrient
depletion,
excessive
water
is
bad
news
for
everyone
involved.
Not
only
are
our
crops
negatively
affected,
but
the
farms,
factories,
and
transportation
networks
that
produce
them
are
too.
Floods
can
spread
chemicals,
pollutants,
and
even
diseases
through
our
land
and
pose
a
real
risk
for
everyone
who
lives
and
works
in
the
affected
areas.
Find
out
more
about
what
you
can
do,
by
checking
out
our
partner
organizations.
Learn about other water challenges
Picture by Avijit Ghosh
Too little water
Water scarcity not only restricts access to safe drinking water but also hampers hygiene practices, particularly impacting women and children who bear the burden of water collection.
Picture by Avijit Ghosh
Too dirty water
Fresh water is vital for our survival, but only 2.5% of Earth's water is freshwater, much of which is frozen or underground.