FLOODING IN THE RURAL AREAS: WHOSE FAULT





Flooding according to +thefreedictionary can be defined as an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry.  Flooding is extremely dangerous and has the potential to wipe away an entire city, coastline or area, and can cause extensive damage to life and property. It also has great erosive power and can be extremely destructive, even if it is a foot high.http://eschooltoday.com/natural-disasters/floods/what-is-a-flood.htmlFlooding and wet weather are so costly to agricultural land because they cause delays in and reduction of crop harvest.http://www.ambiental.co.uk/detrimental-impact-of-floods-on-farming-and-rural-areas/ 
While the rural areas can be badly affected by flooding, the question still remains - whose fault is it about the constant flooding experienced in the rural areas; the topography of the lands in the rural areas which includes their boundaries, physio-graphic features, water features, landmarks etc or the total lifestyle of the rural people which may be a result of such disaster.
When flooding occurs because of the topographic nature of the lands in the rural areas one can conclude that it was á natural disaster' but when it’s otherwise then the need automatically arise to encourage communities a conscious attitude and lifestyle for the rural areas to protect this one mother earth that we all partake from. Some of the lifestyle of the rural areas that provokes flooding can be summarized as:
BUSH BURNING

Bush burning as a result of controlled burn, wild fire or deliberate burn impacts negatively on our environment and affects agricultural productivity in many ways.  Our soil becomes vulnerable after bush burning and becomes susceptible to erosion.  It also exposes the soil to direct sun which gives rise to increased soil temperature.http://www.slideshare.net/angasotonye/bush-burning-by-sotonye-anga-presented-2001

DEFORESTATION


This is the permanent destruction of forests in order to make the land available for other uses. The causes of deforestation includes: logging, mining, oil and gas extraction, cattle ranching, agriculture, land titles, lack of law enforcement etc.http://kids.mongabay.com/lesson_plans/lisa_algee/deforestation.html Some consequences of deforestation include extinctions of plants, indigenous people etc; habitat fragmentation; soil erosion; changes and watershed geomorphology; desertification and environmental pollution etc. 

SOIL EXCAVATION BY UNTRAINED PERSONS:



Some rural dwellers have the habit of engaging in improper soil excavation in order to earn a living which can lead to serious accidents.  Most times they excavate the sand for building, selling and other building related issues. 
IMPROPER CHANNELIZATION OF GULLIES:


The rural people have tendencies of channelling gullies in most improper ways.  This is usually as a result of land and land related reasons. 
Finally, it’s advised that the rural people should discard everything that can provoke flooding in their communities because it is our communal effort to keep our environment healthy.
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