Assessment of Flood Disaster Risk in China: Integrated Analysis of Hydrological Information and Demographic Dynamics

Xueting Li, Asian Demography Research Institute

Extreme weather is one of the major challenges facing society today, especially with the impact of climate change. In the future, China will face more frequent and severe flood risks. Therefore, adapting to and mitigating flood disaster risks has become an urgent task for flood control and disaster reduction in China. Despite hydrological studies providing information on historical flood area scales, frequencies, and future predictions, there is a lack of in-depth research on how these flood disasters affect society and people's well-being. This study uses high spatial resolution satellite images of flood disasters in China from 2000 to 2020, combined with socioeconomic and demographic data. It employs spatial statistical models to comprehensively assess flood risk based on exposure and vulnerability, identifying high-risk hotspots for flood disasters. Integrated analysis based on hydrological information and demographic dynamics is advantageous for government and social decision-makers to accurately analyze and identify various key areas and populations at risk of flood disasters. This facilitates the development of targeted risk avoidance, defense, and management policies and measures at both the national and regional levels.

Keywords: Population, Environment, and Climate Change, The Demography of Indigenous Populations, Spatial Demography

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