5 technologies that are combatting flood risks around the world

Flooding is becoming an inevitable part of life in many regions around the world.

From severe floods in Gulf countries and the United States to unexpected deluges in the United Kingdom, Libya and northern Italy, the rise in extreme weather events is impossible to ignore. Two-thirds of respondents to the latest World Economic Forum Global Risks Report identified extreme weather, including flooding, as the top risk for 2024.

Floods are not only the most common type of natural disaster worldwide, but studies also suggest that the proportion of the global population exposed to them is increasing.

This trend is expected to accelerate as sea levels climb. Many of the world's largest cities, including Tokyo, New York and Mumbai, are located near coastlines, putting large numbers of people at risk.

As flooding becomes more frequent, innovative solutions and technological advancements are trying to mitigate the risks and protect both people and infrastructure. From smarter city planning to cutting-edge technologies, here are five ways communities are managing the increasing threat of floods.

Floating dwellings are the result of a collaboration between the British architecture firm Grimshaw and Dutch manufacturer Concrete Valley. Designed to address the growing threat of floods in low-lying areas, the homes sit on a floating pontoon structure.

When water levels rise, the dwellings float, minimizing the risk of water entering the living spaces. Built with long-lasting, non-corrosive materials like concrete and glass, the dwellings are designed to withstand flood conditions. Equipped with solar panels and heat exchangers, they can generate and maintain power even during floods.

In 1969, the city of Vienna created the New Danube, a 21-kilometre-long flood relief channel that was designed to protect the city from flooding.

The New Danube runs parallel to the existing Danube River and was designed to handle excess water during flood events, helping to safeguard Vienna from the rising risks of water-related disasters. During normal weather conditions, the channel remains inactive and when floodwaters rise, weirs are activated, allowing the New Danube to absorb excess water and relieve pressure on the main river.

China originated the concept of the “sponge city” – an urban design approach that uses nature-based solutions, including permeable surfaces, restored wetlands and water channels to absorb and store rainwater and mitigate flood risks.

The concept draws inspiration from the natural world and seeks to mimic the Earth's ability to absorb water – in contrast to traditional urban design, which often relies on hard surfaces and drainage systems that quickly channel water away.

In Denmark, a rainwater management system known as a ‘Green Climate Screen’ is designed to handle water runoff from neighbouring buildings using natural processes.

Rainwater is directed from the gutter to the top of the screen, where it is distributed across the structure and absorbed by mineral wool behind willow panels. Most of the water can then evaporate and any excess water is directed into a planter beneath the screen or diverted to other green areas nearby during heavy rainfall.

In times of very heavy rainfall, water is redirected to areas designed to hold large volumes of water, helping mitigate flood risks.

The Green Climate Screen handles rainwater above ground, avoiding the need for adding costly and carbon-intensive infrastructure like tunnels. By relying on gravity rather than pumps, the system also eliminates the need for energy-consuming equipment.

New technology and machine learning can also be harnessed to increase preparedness and understand what geographical areas are most likely to be affected by flooding.

Beth Tellman, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona, has been awarded a 2023 Innovation Grant from Climate Change AI to collaborate with community-based organizations in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

She will use machine learning and satellite data to create detailed flood maps and a database to support flood justice lawsuits and promote adaptation in a region disproportionately affected by floods. The team uses high-resolution satellite data to improve their AI models by 10%, ensuring the maps accurately reflect real-life flood conditions.

Google also has an AI-based flood forecasting initiative. Its Flood Hub is designed to provide local flood data and forecasts up to seven days in advance, helping people react in advance to mitigate flood risks. Currently, the Flood Hub covers more than 80 countries and provides flood forecasting for more than 1,800 sites. Its forecasts are updated daily, making it a reliable resource for anticipating and preparing for flood events.

As flooding becomes a more frequent reality worldwide, communities are turning to novel solutions to mitigate the risks and protect populations. From floating homes and flood relief channels to sponge cities and AI-powered flood forecasting, innovative approaches offer sustainable and adaptable ways to address the growing threat of floods.

By harnessing technology and nature-based solutions, cities and regions can better prepare for future flood events, safeguarding both people and infrastructure while promoting long-term resilience.