Devastating floods impacted regions globally in 2025, prompting questions about preventative measures for the coming year. From Southeast Asia to North America and the Middle East, communities faced significant challenges due to rising water levels, making flooding the year's foremost climate hazard, according to Pawan Bhattarai, assistant professor at the civil engineering department of Nepal’s Kathmandu-based Tribhuvan University.

Gaza experienced particularly harsh conditions, with heavy downpours and freezing temperatures exacerbating the plight of nearly two million displaced people. The ongoing Israeli bombardment, spanning two years, has left many residents living in tents amidst rubble, lacking adequate shelter and resources.

The increased frequency and intensity of these floods have spurred climate experts to examine the underlying causes and advocate for proactive governmental strategies. Bhattarai emphasized the urgent need for governments to implement comprehensive flood management plans, including improved infrastructure and early warning systems. He noted that AI-powered predictive models could play a crucial role in forecasting flood risks and enabling timely evacuations. These models analyze vast datasets, including weather patterns, topographical information, and historical flood data, to identify areas at high risk.

The development of more sophisticated AI systems for flood prediction is an ongoing process. Recent advancements include the use of machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy of rainfall forecasts and the integration of satellite imagery to monitor water levels in real-time. However, challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to these technologies and addressing the ethical considerations surrounding their deployment. For example, biases in training data could lead to inaccurate predictions for certain communities, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities.

Looking ahead to 2026, governments and researchers are exploring a range of solutions, from nature-based approaches like restoring wetlands to engineering solutions such as building flood barriers. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on a coordinated effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate. The question remains whether these efforts will be sufficient to keep communities above water in the face of increasingly severe weather events.