More than 1.8 billion people across the globe live in areas at significant risk of flooding, according to the 2025 World Risk Report released on Wednesday.
The study, published by the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, and Alliance Development Works, warned that climate change, urban expansion, and environmental destruction are intensifying the scale of disasters.
Flooding ranked as the second most common disaster worldwide in 2024, with 142 incidents recorded — just behind storms. One of the deadliest events occurred in Spain’s Valencia region in October 2024, where more than 220 people were killed after heavy rains triggered catastrophic floods.
The report also noted that inequality and weak health systems heighten vulnerability, even in wealthy nations where budget cuts in key sectors can leave communities exposed. “Global risk drivers include social inequality, structural vulnerability, and weak healthcare systems,” the authors said.
Experts stressed that prevention and preparedness — such as installing early warning systems, constructing shelters, and planning floodwater routes — can significantly reduce the toll of disasters.
