Is your teenager in need of help?
Countries at high flood risk often face a mix of geographical, climatic, and infrastructural challenges. Low-lying nations like Bangladesh and the Netherlands are threatened by proximity to rivers and seas, while countries like India and Vietnam endure annual monsoon flooding. Additionally, rapid urbanization and deforestation worsen flood impact in places such as Brazil and Nigeria. These floods often cause large-scale displacement, property damage, and fatalities.
Intrigued? Click on to discover the countries with the highest risk of flooding.
Myanmar suffers from monsoon floods and typhoons. In September 2024, flooding from Typhoon Yagi killed over 230 people.
Sources: (BBC) (The Guardian) (Insider Monkey)
See also: The countries most vulnerable to natural disasters
Bangladesh is a low-lying delta with major rivers like the Ganges. Monsoons and rising sea levels make it highly prone to floods. Each year, on average, around 21% of the country is flooded.
India experiences heavy monsoon rains, especially in low-lying and coastal areas. Rivers like the Ganges and Brahmaputra overflow, causing frequent floods. One of the most devastating floods in recent history occurred in Kerala in 2018, where over 400 people lost their lives due to severe flooding.
Much of the Netherlands lies below sea level, making it vulnerable to coastal and river floods. Although occasional floods occur, they have an advanced flood control system, including the Delta Works, designed to protect low-lying areas from flooding.
The South American nation's flat coastal areas make it prone to flooding during heavy rains. In 2005, the country faced its worst flood, displacing over 300,000 people. Over 40% of Guyana's population lost some or all of their possessions.
The Yangtze and Yellow Rivers are prone to seasonal flooding due to heavy rains. In 2020, devastating floods displaced millions of people along the Yangtze.
Tropical rains and river overflows cause landslides and floods in Colombia. In 2010, heavy flooding displaced 2.4 million people.
As an archipelago, Indonesia is vulnerable to heavy rains, coastal floods, and rising sea levels. Jakarta's poor drainage worsens flood risks, as in 2020 when thousands of people were displaced by floods.
Pakistan's Indus River floods due to seasonal monsoons. In 2010, record floods affected 20 million people, devastating agriculture and infrastructure.
Brazil faces heavy rainstorms, especially in mountainous regions, leading to landslides and flooding. In 2024, the Rio Grande do Sul floods displaced around 580,000 people, killing 181.
Vietnam's long coastline makes it vulnerable to typhoons and river floods. In 2020, Typhoon Molave caused widespread flooding and landslides.
The Philippines is in the path of Pacific typhoons, and intense rainfall and storms cause frequent flooding.
Nigeria's Niger River floods during rainy seasons, exacerbated by deforestation and poor infrastructure. In 2022, floods displaced over one million people.
Thailand faces heavy monsoon rains and river flooding, worsened by poor drainage in urban areas. The 2011 floods displaced millions of people in Bangkok.
Germany's flood risks stem from heavy rains that overflow rivers like the Rhine and Elbe. In June and September 2024, severe floods hit the southern and central regions, causing widespread destruction.
Mozambique is prone to cyclones and river floods. In 2019, Cyclone Idai caused widespread flooding, killing over 600 people.
Nepal's steep terrain and monsoons lead to frequent river flooding and landslides. The floods of 2017 killed over 150 people.
Heavy seasonal rains flood South Sudan’s Sudd wetlands, displacing thousands annually. In 2021, record floods displaced over 700,000 people.
Japan’s typhoons and heavy rains trigger river floods and landslides, worsened by mountainous terrain. In 2020, floods in Kyushu killed 77 people.
Iraq's flood risks come from sudden flash floods during the rainy season, often overwhelming inadequate infrastructure.
Monsoons and tropical storms regularly cause flooding on this island nation, particularly in urban areas.
Austria faces flood risks from rivers like the Danube, worsened by heavy alpine rains. In September 2024, heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in parts of Austria, leading to significant damage.
Heavy seasonal rains flood Suriname’s low-lying interior. In 2006, flooding displaced thousands in remote areas of the South American nation.
Heavy seasonal rains in Chad overwhelm rivers and lakes, causing widespread flooding. In 2022, over 150,000 people were displaced by floods.
Frequent heavy rains cause landslides and river floods. The Vargas tragedy in 1999 killed tens of thousands, with entire neighborhoods destroyed.
Flash floods in Egypt, especially in Upper Egypt and desert regions, are exacerbated by poor drainage. In 2020, flash floods killed at least 40 people.
Laos faces seasonal flooding from the Mekong River, compounded by dam failures. In 2018, a dam collapse caused massive floods, resulting in 71 deaths and over 90 missing people.
Cambodia also experiences seasonal monsoon flooding, particularly along the Mekong River. In 2013, floods killed over 150 people and displaced thousands.
Albania frequently experiences flooding, particularly during the rainy season, with severe floods in 2017 displacing thousands. These floods are often caused by river overflow, poor drainage systems, and deforestation.
Countries with the highest risk of flooding
Even if global climate targets are met, key agricultural regions could turn into wetlands and forests
LIFESTYLE Natural disasters
Countries at high flood risk often face a mix of geographical, climatic, and infrastructural challenges. Low-lying nations like Bangladesh and the Netherlands are threatened by proximity to rivers and seas, while countries like India and Vietnam endure annual monsoon flooding. Additionally, rapid urbanization and deforestation worsen flood impact in places such as Brazil and Nigeria. These floods often cause large-scale displacement, property damage, and fatalities.
Intrigued? Click on to discover the countries with the highest risk of flooding.