Storm Bert’s devastation in the UK this week has highlighted the growing threat of flooding, which has become an increasingly frequent occurrence during autumns and winters.
The extreme rainfall is driven by human-caused global warming, which allows warmer air to hold more water vapor.
As a result, flooding has become more intense and frequent, especially in areas with inadequate and underfunded flood defenses.
The government’s failure to allocate sufficient funds for flood protection has led to serious consequences.
A funding shortfall resulted in a 40% reduction in properties that would be better protected by 2027, and 500 out of 2,000 flood defense projects were abandoned.
The Environment Agency (EA) is facing a £34 million budget shortfall, and its former chair, Emma Howard Boyd, has noted the difficulty in securing funds for flood defense maintenance.
Despite these setbacks, the need for stronger infrastructure is urgent.
Nature-based solutions could be key to managing flood risks and protecting communities.Flood forecasting systems have become sophisticated, but the models used to predict river levels are not keeping pace with climate change.
Dave Throup, an expert in flood forecasting, said that the models are based on historical data, which is no longer reliable in the face of extreme weather.
As a result, flood defenses, even those recently upgraded, are increasingly tested by rising river levels and unpredictable weather patterns.
The UK government has committed to £2.4 billion for flood defenses over the next two years.
However, this funding is insufficient, as the government has underspent its previous flood defense budget.
Prof. Hannah Cloke from the University of Reading warned that the lack of investment in flood defenses is leaving communities vulnerable to even greater damage.
To mitigate the escalating flood risks, experts suggest that nature-based solutions, such as restoring upland peatlands and creating new woodlands, can slow the flow of water and reduce flood damage.
In addition, communities must be better prepared for flood emergencies, with clear evacuation plans and training for local populations on how to respond to flooding.