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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe the effects of flooding.

      Key learning points

      1. Flooding causes widespread problems globally.
      2. In Bangladesh, heavy rainfall and snowmelt water regularly cause flooding.
      3. Drinking water can become contaminated by sewage, which leads to widespread health problems.
      4. Flooding causes homelessness and displacement.

      Keywords

      • Social effect - an effect on people or communities

      • Environmental effect - an effect on the environment

      • Economic effect - an effect on money or business

      • Short-term effects - effects during and immediately after an event

      • Long-term effects - effects that may last for a long time

      Common misconception

      Flooding only has negative effects.

      Flooding is a natural process; it can have positive environmental effects, such as soil replenishment.

      Teacher tip

      Ask students to think about why the effects of flooding may be different in a high income and low income country.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the source of a river?

      Correct answer: Where a river begins
      Where two rivers meet
      Where a river ends
      Where rainwater collects

      Q2.
      Which river process wears away rock?

      Deposition
      Correct answer: Erosion
      Transportation
      Condensation

      Q3.
      What is deposition in a river?

      The river picking up materials
      The river freezing over
      The river becoming deeper
      Correct answer: The river dropping materials

      Q4.
      In which part of the river are waterfalls usually found?

      Lower course
      Correct answer: Upper course
      Middle course
      Mouth of the river

      Q5.
      Which landform is created by deposition?

      Waterfall
      Gorge
      Correct answer: Floodplain
      Rapids

      Q6.
      What happens to the river channel as it moves downstream?

      It becomes narrower
      It becomes shallower
      Correct answer: It becomes wider and deeper
      It dries up

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a social effect of flooding?

      Correct answer: Homes being damaged
      Crops destroyed
      River pollution
      Road repairs

      Q2.
      What type of effect is the destruction of farmland?

      Social effect
      Correct answer: Environmental effect
      Economic effect
      Short-term effect

      Q3.
      Which of these describes a long-term effect of flooding?

      Immediate evacuation of homes
      Correct answer: Ongoing economic hardship due to damaged businesses
      Emergency rescues during the flood

      Q4.
      Which of the following is true about the effects of flooding?

      Flooding only causes damage to the environment
      Flooding only causes short-term impacts
      Correct answer: Flooding can sometimes have positive effects, like creating fertile soils

      To help you plan your 9 geography lesson on: The effects of flooding, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...