Researchers analyzed global flood hazard datasets and annual settlement footprint data covering the three decades between 1985 and 2015 to understand the populations most affected by flood risk. They found over this period, as the world’s settlements grew by 85%, urbanization happened much more rapidly in high-hazard flood zones than in areas with low flood risk. In 2015, more than 11% of built-up areas globally faced high or very high flood risk, meaning areas at risk of flooding depths of at least 50 cm (17 inches) during 1-in-100-year flooding events, according to the report. Upper-middle income countries had the largest proportion of new human settlements in the highest flood risk zones, the report found. “This is concerning as development patterns are enhancing risk without climate change – climate change will further exacerbate these risks in the future.”

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Persons: ”, Paolo Avner, Netherlands –, Molave, Manan Vatsyayana, Robert Nicholls Organizations: CNN, World Bank, Municipal, University of East Locations: East Asia, North America, Saharan Africa, China, Japan, Netherlands, Vietnam, Hoi, AFP, Southwest Florida, University of East Anglia