The Rising Tide: How Climate Change is Amplifying Flood Risks

Climate catastrophes are escalating at an alarming rate due to global warming, with over 90% of these disasters being linked to weather and water. Events such as aridification, wildfires, earthquakes, floods and hurricanes have widespread impacts, disrupting societies worldwide.

The impact of natural disasters:

Floods, one of the most devastating consequences of climate change, present significant challenges to communities worldwide. They can strike suddenly and with little warning, sweeping away everything in their path and leaving a lasting impact on various aspects of daily life.

Beyond the destruction of urban infrastructure and the disruption of local wildlife, these disasters pose serious threats to public health. The elevated water temperatures associated with flooding create an environment that fosters the outbreak and spread of deadly diseases, putting thousands of people in affected areas at risk.

The repercussions of flooding extend beyond physical damage. The psychological effects are equally concerning, with studies showing that 75% of those impacted experience mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Moreover, the effects vary by gender, with women being more likely to develop mental health difficulties both while living in areas prone to natural disasters and in their aftermath.  In some cases this can be due to change in livelihood patterns, economic issues as  insecure income sources, unsustainable livelihoods or secondary stressors such as separation from pets and family members.

While women face unique challenges, men also experience significant psychological impacts. In countries like Australia, men affected by cyclones were 1.6 times more likely to report mild anxiety symptoms, and those impacted by storms were 1.5 times more likely to experience moderate to severe anxiety. It’s also important to recognize that in some countries, mental health remains a sensitive topic in society, particularly for men. The stigma surrounding mental health often leads to increased social discrimination, making it even more difficult for men to seek professional help.

These invisible yet devastating consequences highlight the critical need for comprehensive preparedness that addresses both the physical and emotional toll of these natural disasters.

How floods can affect Albania:

 

According to the European Commission, between 1980 and 2021 floods in Europe have led to nearly 5,600 fatalities and over €250 billion in economic losses. Currently, about 170,000 people in Europe are at risk of flooding each year—a number that is expected to soar to 480,000 by the end of the century as the effects of climate change intensify.

 

In the case of Albania, the total annual precipitation  has not significantly changed, but the country still faces a threat from floods, exacerbated by increasing rainfall intensity linked to climate change. While the overall frequency of natural disasters in Albania is lower than in the European Union, the impacts are disproportionately severe. Recent data from the IMF (2022) indicate that the country experiences one natural disaster annually, with each event inflicting damage equivalent to 1.3% of its GDP and affecting around 5,000 people per 100,000 inhabitants. The rise in intense rainfall events is straining infrastructure and underscoring the urgent need for improved flood management systems. These challenges highlight the vulnerability of Albania’s population and economy to climate-related hazards.

The ramifications of flooding are further complicated by shifts in precipitation patterns and river flows. According to a study conducted by The Observatory for Children and Youth Rights, Report with Recommendations on the Impact of Climate Change on Water Bodies and Gender, such shifts will have implications for agriculture and water management, as more intense rainfall can lead to river erosion and flooding, threatening infrastructure and water management systems. Rapid urbanization has also heightened these risks, particularly in key economic areas like Tirana, where inadequate drainage systems struggle to handle heavy rainfall.

To address these pressing issues, it is essential to invest in resilient infrastructure and develop comprehensive hazard mapping strategies to mitigate future flood risks. By taking proactive measures, communities can better protect and safeguard economies from the escalating threats posed by climate change.



A growing global concern:

Floods, now a growing global concern, are deeply tied to  atmospheric warming and water vapor. As greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane increase due to human activities, Earth’s temperature rises. This warming accelerates evaporation, allowing the atmosphere to hold more moisture. According to NASA, warmer air can retain approximately 7% more water vapor for every degree Celsius of temperature increase, contributing to rising global temperatures but also intensifying the water cycle, leading to more extreme weather patterns.

While wetter regions receive even more rainfall, drier areas suffer from prolonged droughts. In regions like Albania, where intense rainfall events are on the rise, this imbalance exacerbates flood risks. Hard, dry ground from prior droughts struggles to absorb sudden heavy rains, causing water to run off into rivers and streams, increasing erosion, and overwhelming flood defenses.

Understanding these processes highlights the urgent need for improved water management and infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of climate change-driven floods. By addressing the root causes and adapting to the realities of a changing climate, societies can chart a path toward resilience, ensuring that communities, economies, and ecosystems are better prepared to face the challenges ahead.

  1. UN Environment Program, Climate Change and Water-Related Disasters
  2. European Commission, How climate change is disrupting rainfall patterns and putting our health at risk
  3. International Monetary Fund, Selected Issues paper on Albania
  4. NASA, Steamy Relationships: How Atmospheric Water Vapor Amplifies Earth’s Greenhouse Effect
  5. UN Women, Women more likely than men to suffer psychological distress from having their homes flooded
  6. Observatory for Children and Youth Rights, Report With Recommendations On The Impact Of Climate Change On Water Bodies And Gender
  7. Md Mostafizur Rahman, Ifta Alam Shobuj, Md Tanvir Hossain and Farah Tasnim. Impact of Disaster on mental health of women: A case study on 2022 flash flood in Bangladesh
  8. Karlee O’Donnell, Jennifer Prattley, Clement Wong, Brendan Quinn, Rukhsana Tajin, Rebecca Jenkinson and Bosco Rowland. The true impact of natural disasters on Australian men’s mental health