Local knowledge adds value to mapping flood risk in South Africa’s informal settlements

<https://theconversation.com/local-knowledge-adds-value-to-mapping-flood-risk-in-south-africas-informal-settlements-181304>

"The current flooding in South Africa’s coastal city of Durban is dire and
reports indicate that hundreds of people have died and thousands directly
affected. Several months’ worth of rainfall have fallen in a day or so, and the
effects have been catastrophic.

The problem of floods in Durban is not new. Between 1980 and 2010, there were
over 77 disastrous flood events in KwaZulu-Natal province and others. The flood
events can be categorised as disastrous when lives are lost, people are
displaced and property is destroyed.

Floods have over the years become increasingly problematic, especially in the
global south, because of high population density, land-use change, increased
impervious surfaces, poor solid waste management and settlement of people in
flood plains and wetlands. The advent of climate change has also led to an
increase in the intensity and frequency of rainfall and flooding in many
cities."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics