Introduction

Waterlogging is a condition in which the soil of a particular area becomes saturated with extra water and is unable to drain properly.

This excess water blocks air from reaching plant roots, cutting off their oxygen supply. Without proper oxygen supply, the roots suffocate, which slows down the plant’s growth and can eventually cause the roots to die. 

In extreme cases, plants switch to anaerobic respiration (surviving without oxygen). This condition decreases the gaseous exchange for plant roots and, as a result, reduces plant growth, which can even lead to their death.

In agricultural settings, water-logging leads to nutrient deficiencies, toxic soil conditions, and reduced crop yields.

Additionally, it’s not just limited to rural areas; some urban regions also face water logging issues due to inadequate drainage infrastructure. 

For example, water getting collected becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. 

In this article, we will explore waterlogging in detail—its causes, types, and the necessary preventive measures. Understanding these aspects is key to managing water logging effectively and protecting crops, soil, and public health.

Causes Of Waterlogging

Common causes of water logging include heavy rainfall, flooding, excessive irrigation, and poor drainage systems.

1)- Overwatering the crops can saturate the soil with excessive water, cutting off the oxygen supply to plant roots and hindering proper plant growth.

2)- Heavy rainfall is the cause of severe waterlogging problems. The soil absorbs excess water that causes anaerobic conditions. In Chennai, heavy rainfall led to traffic and waterlogging on October 15, 2024.

3)- Flooding is one of the worst causes of water logging seeping into buildings through walls and causing crop damage.

4)- Due to poor land slope (irregular topography), the water does not drain properly together in the particular area, causing waterlogging.

5)- Clay soils naturally absorb excess water in it. So it does not dry in monsoons.

6)- Waterlogging also occurs due to intensive irrigation, which leads to a rise in the groundwater table. 

7)- Seepage from canals is a reason for water logging in low-lying areas due to water seeping into adjacent canal soils.

Effects Of Waterlogging

1)- Reduced pH

The pH value of soil shows a reversible pattern. It is an increase for acidic soil and a decrease for alkali soils. It shows the pH value changes for soils. If soils are acidic, then it tends to be toxic. The pH value increases due to protons and decreases due to iron and manganese oxides. 

It increases soil acidification, affects plant growth, and leaches nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients.

2)- Increased Salinity

A considerable amount of water consumption occurs during irrigation. When water-logging occurs, water evaporation increases, leading to salt concentration in the soil. Water logging prevents the leaching of salt from soils. Irrigation is a common phenomenon to introduce salt into soil.

3)- Nutrient Loss

The main nutrient loss from the soil is nitrogen. Leaching and denitrification also cause nutrient loss, including phosphorus, potassium, and more. 

When water logging occurs for more than two days, anaerobic bacteria convert nitrogen in the soil into gaseous oxides of nitrogen. This is called the denitrification process, where nitrogen is converted into gas and released into the atmosphere.

4)- Growth Of Weeds And Aquatic Plants

Water logging connects agricultural land to the marsh, causing the development of emergent, submerged, and floating weeds. These plants thrive in excess moisture and spread quickly. The condition of the water determines the growth of weeds.

After growing weeds, the area becomes unsuitable for agriculture and consumes soil foods.

5)- Lowered Soil Temperature

Waterlogging affected soil temperature. Due to the low temperature of the soil, bacterial activity is slow, and plants need to receive the proper amount of food simultaneously. Thus, plant growth and yield are affected.

6)- Lack Of Aeration

Bacteria supply the nutrients required for plant growth. They decompose nitrogenous compounds into simple compounds, which plants use. 

However, due to water logging conditions, there is a lack of aeration. This means oxygen does not reach the bacteria, so they do not survive in the soil. As a result, the soil becomes infertile as the essential microbial activity needed for nutrient cycling is disrupted. This condition hampers plant growth.

7)- Difficulty In Cultivation

Tilling and ploughing are difficult when water-logging occurs in the soil, but these processes are easy for dry soils.

8)- Restriction In Root Growth

When the water increases near the root, the soil gets saturated. The growth of the root depends upon the upper level of the soil. So, the plants can not mature, which decreases yield.

Types Of Waterlogging

Five main types of water logging occur depending on the area and weather conditions.

1)- Perennial Waterlogging

When water saturates the soil all year, it is called perennial waterlogging. The geographical situation of the land area determines the extent of soil saturation. If the soil is in a low-lying area with poor drainage, it will be saturated for a long time, which impacts ecosystem health and agricultural processes.

2)- Seasonal Waterlogging

Seasonal waterlogging only occurs in the monsoon season in a year. Due to heavy rains and lack of drainage, these phenomena exist. It is less harmful than perennial water logging but also damages crops.

3)- Oceanic Flood Waterlogging

These types of waterlogging are common in coastal areas when seawater covers lands due to extreme weather conditions like tsunamis, high tides, and severe cyclones hitting the area.

4)- Riverine Flood Waterlogging

The river covers the land area due to heavy rainfall or floods. The excess water can cause water to seep into the soil and cause heavy crop losses.

5)- Subsoil Waterlogging

Subsoil waterlogging occurs when the groundwater level increases. It generally happens in rainy seasons.

Solutions And Preventive Measures For Waterlogging

Waterlogging is a major problem for agriculture, changing the soil’s nature and improving soil salinity. There are some practical solutions and preventions to minimize this condition.

1)- Fixing Crop Pattern

Fixing crop patterns can help overcome the waterlogging situation. Some crops require a lot of water, which is advantageous for waterlogged areas. Changing crop patterns also helps increase soil quality. 

For example, rice crops can grow in excess water. Peas and corn also help vaporize excess water, which helps overcome water logging conditions.

2)- Suitable Drainage System

A reliable drainage system helps reduce waterlogging problems. A well-designed drainage system ensures the evacuation of water from land. It helps to reduce the water table for a particular area, which needs regular maintenance for proper work.

Read About: What Are Sewage Treatment Plants?

3)- Prevention From Percolation From Canals And Reservoirs

Unlined canals are highly responsible for waterlogging. Water seeps through the bank of the canal and gathers in a low-lying area, causing waterlogging.

An inspection can save this condition during the construction of dams. If any parts of land are permeable to water, these must be fixed. The percolation of water from the reservoir is caused by seepage that should be fixed only by the proper treatment.

4)- Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is a process that helps to conserve rainwater and prevent runoff and wastage. When rainwater is stored, it reduces the quantity of water in sewage and drainage systems. So, rainwater harvesting stores large amounts of water that help to prevent waterlogging.

Read More About: Types Of Rainwater Harvesting Systems

5)- Mulching

Mulching is a process of covering soil with organic or synthetic materials. It improves plant growth and soil quality. It protects the plant root death and the soil from erosion and helps create a stable soil structure. It reduces the evaporation process, which helps to overcome soil salinity. Also, protect weed growth in the field.

6)- Growing Crops In Raised Beds

Growing crops in raised beds is a long-term solution for waterlogged areas. It allows excess water to drain into open collector drains. 

Raised beds contain gravel, composts, mulch, and well-drained soils that help to grow plants.

Root vegetables such as radishes, carrots, turnips, onions, shallots, and garlic can grow on the raised beds.

7)- Manage Irrigation

To practice scheduled irrigation, crop rotation and avoiding intensive irrigation should be included during agriculture.

Sprinkle and drip irrigation methods are better irrigation systems that help prevent waterlogging by avoiding overirrigation.

Read About: Types Of Irrigation Water Pumps

8)- Soil Structure

Adding organic matter improves the soil structure, which helps absorb the drain water.

How To Measure Waterlogging?

There are two main ways to measure waterlogging: conventional and advanced methods. 

Some traditional methods include digging holes, soil weight, shallow wells, and more. Digging holes and shallow wells are used to see whether the water level increases. 

In soil weight methods, heat-saturated soil becomes lighter after drying; this means the area is waterlogged.  

Remote sensing technology using the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) system is an advanced system that addresses waterlogging. It is not affected by atmospheric situations, even on cloudy days.

Conclusion

Water logging might seem like a minor problem, but it is actually a critical issue. It impacts agricultural productivity and affects ecosystem health. It reduces crop productivity, leads to soil degradation, and threatens our food security. 

Waterlogging can also affect our infrastructure by causing road accidents, traffic, and skidding. It is a serious problem that must be overcome with the best solutions and prevention.

To mitigate the water logging problem, we must focus on sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting, improving drainage systems, proper irrigation management, and more. You may also use the latest technology to monitor water logging, such as using remote sensing to help find water in particular areas.

Read About: What Is Water Ingress?

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