Nearly 1 in 4 globally at risk from severe flooding – Study

FRANCE: Almost a quarter of the world’s population are exposed to significant flood risks, according to new research published on Tuesday (June 28), which warned those in poorer countries were more vulnerable.

Inundations from heavy rainfall and storm surges affect millions of people every year and cause billions of dollars of damage to homes, infrastructure and economies.

And the risks are rising as climate change causes more extreme precipitation and sea level rise, as exposed populations swell.

The new study, published in the journal Nature Communications, looked at global data on flood risks from the sea, rivers and rainfall, as well as population distribution and poverty estimates from the World Bank.

It found about 1.81 billion people – or 23 per cent of the people on the planet – are directly exposed to floods of over 15cm (six inches) in 1-in-100-year flooding.

Overall, nearly 90 per cent of those exposed to inundations live in lower or middle income countries, according to the study. – THE STRAITS TIMES