According to a group of scientists in the University of Tokyo, Australia and other parts of the world will experience more floods because of climate change. The study was published in the Nature Climate Change journal today. Millions of people will be exposed to the risk of major floods which can result to loss of lives and property.

The researchers used 11 global climate models to aid their predictions. The areas potentially at risk include Southeast Asia, East Africa, major parts of India, north Andes, Tasmania and northern Australia. The risk of flood will be reduced in other parts of the world namely central North America and Asia. Northern and eastern Europe as well as the southern part of South Africa will also experience less flooding.

Researchers also studied the likelihood of floods in 29 international river basins which includes the Murray-Darling. Based on the studies, the Murray-Darling, along with most of the rivers, is expected have an increased frequency of flooding.

Scientists say that if global temperatures go beyond the 2-degree average, 27 million people will be at risk to major flooding. The average global temperature is set at 2 degrees based on the study. At this temperature level, the world will stand a chance against the damaging effects of climate change.

If the temperature level rises to 4 degrees, 62 million people will be at risk to more flooding. Another 2-degree rise in temperature will mean 93 million people are at risk.

The study indicates that the number of people exposed to flooding will increase if population growth is included in the variables. Despite the uncertainty of regional forecasts and study limitations, the results still indicate a need to prepare the population for a possibility of more flooding in the coming years. Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to slow down rising global temperatures.

Preventive measures must be taken in low-latitude countries. Projections indicate an increase in both population and flood frequency in the years to come.