Changing climate could see 54 million people hit by river floods

India, Bangladesh and China are most at risk from river floods, with an increasing number of people threatened because of climate change and economic growth in low-lying regions, a study warned.

The US-based World Resources Institute think-tank and four Dutch research groups estimated some 21 million people worldwide were affected by river flooding in a typical year.

“That number could increase to 54 million in 2030 due to climate change and socio-economic development,” their report said.