More people are living in flood-prone areas despite risks from climate change with biggest increase in China, study finds

Settlements in flood zones around the world more than doubled over three decades, highlighting the need to prepare for extreme weather events that have become more frequent with climate change, according to a new study.

In China, built-up areas grew by 165 per cent between 1985 and 2015, with settlements in the highest flood-hazard category increasing 223 per cent.