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By Karan Singh Bisht
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Updated on 16 May 2025, 16:05 IST
Waterlogging is a critical environmental issue that occurs when soil becomes saturated with excess soil moisture, leading to drainage issues and anoxic soil conditions. It affects both urban planning solutions and agricultural waterlogging, impacting infrastructure, ecosystems, and crop yield. In this guide, we will explore what is water logging, its causes, effects, and solutions to mitigate its impact.
Waterlogging refers to a condition where the soil is flooded with excess water due to poor soil permeability, water table rise, or inefficient drainage issues. When soil saturation reaches extreme levels, air pockets disappear, leading to hydric soil formation. This can cause anoxic soil conditions, which negatively impact plant growth and microbial activity.
The meaning of water logging revolves around the concept of soil saturation. It occurs when water accumulates beyond the soil's absorption capacity, resulting in flooded soil and waterlogged areas that disrupt natural ecosystems and human activities.
Waterlogging arises due to multiple factors, including natural and human-made causes. Some of the major causes include:
Waterlogging has severe consequences on agriculture, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Here are the key effects of water logging:
Waterlogging can be categorized based on various factors such as performance, location, water sources, and underlying causes. The primary types of waterlogging are as follows:
While both waterlogging and salinity affect soil health, they differ in causes and impact:
| Factor | Water Logging | Salinity |
| Definition | Excess soil moisture leading to flooded soil | Accumulation of salt deposits in the soil |
| Cause | Poor drainage, excessive irrigation | High evaporation, low precipitation |
| Effect on Soil | Creates hydric soil with low oxygen | Reduces soil fertility by increasing salt concentration |
| Impact on Crops | Leads to root decay and stunted growth | Prevents water absorption, leading to crop damage |
Waterlogging in cities is a major challenge, particularly in urban areas with inadequate drainage systems and poor infrastructure planning. Urban water logging disrupts daily life, damages infrastructure, and poses serious health and environmental risks. Here are some of the key problems caused by water logging in cities:
Example: Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru frequently experience severe traffic congestion during monsoons due to urban water logging.
Example: In Kolkata and Chennai, heavy rains often lead to damaged roads and weakened bridges, affecting daily commuters.
Example: In Mumbai and Hyderabad, post-monsoon disease outbreaks are common due to poor drainage issues.
Example: Many areas in Bangalore and Pune face water logging in housing societies due to heavy rains and improper drainage systems.
Example: In Patna and Chennai, sewage mixing with rainwater has caused serious health concerns in many localities.
Example: In Gurgaon and Noida, companies declare work-from-home on days of heavy urban water logging to avoid commuter stress.
Example: In Chennai and Kerala floods, emergency rescue operations were delayed due to severe water logging, increasing casualties.
To combat waterlogging, proper urban planning solutions and agricultural strategies must be adopted:
Understanding what is water logging and its impact is essential for mitigating environmental damage. Whether in agriculture or urban infrastructure, waterlogging prevention through proper drainage, irrigation control, and soil management is crucial. By addressing waterlogged areas effectively, we can protect crop yield, infrastructure, and ecosystems from long-term damage.
Waterlogging refers to the saturation of soil with water, resulting in reduced oxygen availability for plant roots and other organisms. This condition can arise from excessive rainfall, poor drainage, over-irrigation, or a high water table.
The term "waterlogged" describes a state where an object or area is so saturated with water that it becomes heavy, unmanageable, or unusable. For instance, soil becomes waterlogged when it is filled with water to the point where it cannot support plant growth effectively.
In plants, waterlogging occurs when the soil around the root zone is excessively saturated with water, leading to anaerobic (oxygen-deficient) conditions. This lack of oxygen can impede root respiration, hinder nutrient uptake, and ultimately cause root decay or plant death.
Waterlogging in agricultural fields can have several detrimental effects:
Waterlogged describes a condition where an area or object is saturated with water to the extent that it becomes heavy, unmanageable, or unusable. In the context of soil, it means the ground is so filled with water that it cannot support plant growth effectively.
In irrigation, waterlogging happens when more water is applied to the soil than it can absorb or drain away. This can result from over-irrigation, improper irrigation scheduling, or poor field drainage systems. The consequences include reduced crop yields, root diseases, and soil degradation.
Waterlogging is the saturation of soil with water, leading to anaerobic conditions that adversely affect plant growth and soil health. Its impacts include:
In geography, waterlogging refers to the accumulation of water in areas where the drainage is poor, leading to saturated soil conditions. This can occur in low-lying regions, floodplains, or areas with impermeable soil layers. Waterlogging can transform ecosystems, turning arable land into wetlands and affecting local flora and fauna.
