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Ponding (or pluvial floods)

This animation shows the process of ponding.

Ponding is a type of flooding that can happen in relatively flat areas. Rain water falling in an area is normally stored in the ground, in canals or lakes, or is drained away, or pumped out. When more rainwater enters a water system than can be stored, or can leave the system, flooding occurs. In this case, rain is the source of the flood: not water coming from a river, but water on its way to the river. That's why it is also called "pluvial flood".

Puddles and ponds develop on the land, canals are filled to brim and spill over; gradually a layer of water covers the land. It is like urban flooding, but without the sewage systems and in more rural areas.

Because of the gradual character people have time to go indoors or leave the area. The layer of water is no more than centimeters or perhaps decimeters high and causes no immediate threat to people’s lifes. Depending on the economic activity and size of the area that is covered it may cause immense economic damage.

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