Asia would get hit by the highest rate of river flooding, and 56 million to 70 million people will be affected by 2040. For instance, Pakistan will observe almost a doubling in high-end flood risk affecting 11 million people, unless protective measures are taken by 2040.
In South America, the number of people who would get affected by flooding risk will increase from six to 12m, in Africa, from 25m to 34m, in Germany from 100,000 to 700,000 and in North America, the number of people could rise 100,000 to one million.
"More than half of the United States must at least double their protection level within the next two decades if they want to avoid a dramatic increase in river flood risks," said lead author Sven Willner from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
The increase in river flood risks over the next few decades is being driven by the number of greenhouse gases already emitted into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels. More heat-trapping pollutants surround the Earth, more moisture is held in the air, leading to more rainfall, whereas, cutting the emissions is crucial to reducing flood risks for future generations.