1. The rapid urbanisation; creating deforestation in upper reaches of
rivers, impervious surface leads to less water infiltration – more
water entering system

2. The weight of the new developments, high rise and shopping malls –
impervious surface leads to more water entering the system, weight
contributes to land subsistence

3. Large amounts of people settling into informal housing along river banks and
floodplain areas (Steinberg, 2007, p. 360, Textier, 2008, pp. 364-367), exposes them to
a high vulnerability to natural disasters, government has less ability to manage flood
plain, more pressure to provide services, leads to costs for aid, greater use of ground
water, causing land subsidence – land more at risk of flood

4. The deforestation upstream in areas where the
(Steinberg)361, greatest rainfall occurs, increased run off
and water entering the river system, more silt entering
the river system causing blockages

5. The dumping of rubbish into waterways, creates clogging and a
reduction in the width of the waterways, costly to manage using
money that could be better used elsewhere – water overflows from
rivers and canals faster in events of flooding

6. The ongoing threat of climate change and
unpredictable and severe weather events,
combined with a high tide and ocean swell creates
conditions for floods.

7. The land subsidence, as a result of pumping of groundwater, weight
of new development, natural subsidence of alluvial soil, increases
the amount of land that is below sea level, - increases vulnerability
to flooding (Steinberg 360)

8. Cost of emergency aid and compensation for loss
of belongings and property, reduces money
available for pro active measures