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The number of devastating floods that trigger insurance payouts has more than doubled in Europe since 1980, according to new research by Munich Re. This steep increase in flash floods is in line with climate change. Munich Re warns that the trend is a non-linear one, following a pattern that will be significantly determined by manmade greenhouse gas emissions.
Natural disasters can damage traditional water harvesting tanks. The benefits of erecting large storage tanks in water-deficient areas are clear, however, they may not always be the most efficient solution when requiring transportation. The new 1,000-litre Pak Flat Tank aims to improve usability and delivery efficiency.
Natural flood defences have protected homes in Somerset from the torrential rain brought by Storm Angus. The natural measures included allowing trees to fall into the rivers to slow water flow, blocking old drainage channels on the hills and using fields to temporarily store water. The project cut the flood peak by 10% and protected £30m of property.
Areas of north Jakarta, including the seawall designed to protect them, are sinking at an unparalleled rate. There are controversial plans to save the city from catastrophic floods: the so-called Giant Sea Wall and Great Garuda projects. What is not in dispute is the need for urgent action.
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts in Reading was the first to warn there was a significant chance of Sandy striking Manhattan and New Jersey in 2015. Other centres were suggesting otherwise. Thanks to ensemble computing and satellite data, the Reading forecast was a success. Now this forecasting prowess is set to improve its medium-range forecasting.
The system for allocating taxpayers’ money to flood defence schemes favours protecting wealthy families and those in the south-east, analysis suggests. The government has said it applies a strict economic formula to deciding where funding should be spent, but an investigation by the Press Association reveals the methods to determine where funding goes suggest otherwise.
Despite the huge amount of aid money promised after the 2010 earthquake, very little was channelled through Haitian organisations, leading to accusations it was badly targeted and did little to help recover and prepare for future catastrophes. It also remains dangerously exposed to environmental threats, but its vulnerability and ability to cope has a complex history.
Flooding causes more economic, social and humanitarian damage than any other natural disaster and has affected 2.3 billion people over the past 20 years. China has been particularly affected. Two years into the 'sponge cities' programme, the government of 450 million people faces complex needs and investor disinterest to deliver on flooding and water shortage solutions.
Voluntary Commitments
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The Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) online platform allows stakeholders to inform the public about their work on DRR. The SFVC online platform is a useful toolto know who is doing what and where for the implementation of the Sendai Framework, which could foster potential collaboration among stakeholders. All stakeholders (private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media, local governments, etc.) working on DRR can submit their commitments and report on their progress and deliverables.