The most complete hydrological data set for the African continent reveals a surprise: Soil moisture, not heavy precipitation, best explains the timing of Africa’s most severe floods.
floods
Posted inNews
Indian Cities Prepare for Floods with Predictive Technology
The number and intensity of floods are increasing—they can inundate neighborhoods in Chennai in just 15 minutes. New models can pinpoint and help warn vulnerable areas hours or even days in advance.
Posted inNews
Below Aging U.S. Dams, a Potential Toxic Calamity
Documents suggest that in more than 80 U.S. locations, the failure of an aging dam could flood a major toxic waste site.
Posted inNews
Why Are Women More Vulnerable to Flooding in India?
One state in India shows how policies that give women access to better resources has a real impact on mortality.
Posted inEditors' Vox
Why Rivers Need Their Floodplains
Floodplain storage of water, nutrients, and sediment is critical to sustaining river ecosystems but has been reduced by human activities.
Posted inNews
Development and Climate Change Contribute to a Himalayan Tragedy
Infrastructure projects like roads and dams destabilize slopes and compound the effects of glacial floods and avalanches, scientists say.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Coastal Flooding Enhances Methane Buildup in Forests
Increased seawater exposure from flooding and storms is altering how coastal forests cycle methane, leading to more greenhouse gas accumulation in tree stems and soil.
Posted inScience Updates
Assessing Social Equity in Disasters
Natural hazard impacts and resources allocated for risk reduction and disaster recovery are often inequitably distributed. New research is developing and applying methods to measure these inequities.
Posted inNews
Finding “Glocal” Solutions to Flooding Problems
Scientists call for joint efforts to combine real-time global rainfall data with high-resolution local hydrology to better forecast floods.
Posted inNews
Homes and Other Buildings Abound in Natural Hazard Hot Spots
Researchers mined maps of natural hazards and land use to show that nearly 60% of structures are built in regions at high risk of earthquakes, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and/or tornadoes.