Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): Many human activities increase both the severity and frequency of floods.

Reason (R): Paved roads and parking lots increase water infiltration into the soil and slow down the rate of run off in streams and lakes..

In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is (A) is true but (R) is false.
Important Points

Assertion (A): Many human activities increase both the severity and frequency of floods.

• This is true.
• Human activities such as deforestation, urban development, and changes in land use can all increase the risk of flooding.
• Deforestation, for instance, removes trees that would normally absorb rainwater, while urban development often replaces permeable soil with impermeable surfaces, preventing water from being absorbed and increasing runoff.
• Changes in land use can alter natural waterways, making areas more prone to flooding.

Reason (R): Paved roads and parking lots increase water infiltration into the soil and slow down the rate of runoff in streams and lakes.

• This is false. Paved roads and parking lots, being impermeable surfaces, actually decrease water infiltration into the soil.
• When rain falls on an impermeable surface like a road or parking lot, it cannot be absorbed into the ground and instead runs off into nearby streams and rivers.
• This can increase the volume of water in these water bodies, potentially leading to higher water levels and increased risk of flooding.
• So, contrary to what the statement suggests, paving more areas can contribute to faster and higher runoff, thereby increasing the risk of flooding.