More than 1.8billion people worldwide live in areas with a significant risk of flooding due to climate change and human interventions, according to the World Risk Report released on Wednesday.

In 2024, it said there were a total of 142 disasters caused by flooding, making that the second most common trigger of disasters after storms.

The Spanish region of Valencia was especially affected in October 2024, when more than 220 people lost their lives following heavy rainfall and flooding.

The consequences of natural disasters are exacerbated by climate change, urban expansion and environmental destruction.

This is according to the authors from the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany.

It is also the umbrella organisation Alliance Development Works, which comprised 11 development aid organisations.

Inequality a factor even in wealthy countries

“Global risk drivers include social inequality, structural vulnerability and weak healthcare systems,” the report states.

This applies even to wealthy countries, for example, when savings are made in key societal sectors.

Prevention can mitigate many consequences, the authors wrote.

The key is to have good preparedness before the rains with warning systems and shelters for people in neighbourhoods where training are organised, and provisions made to route the water. (dpa/NAN)