Despite the fact that water level in the rivers is extremely low given the ongoing drought, the Red Cross is warning that the Dutch are insufficiently prepared for flooding, the AD reported on Wednesday.

The Red Cross bases its conclusion on a poll among 762 people which showed 76% do not have the recommended emergency kit at home should floods occur. One in three said they have the requisite three litres of water per person per day in house but one in 10 said they have nothing at all.

The Netherlands is vulnerable to both sea flooding, due to high tides and wind, as well river flooding caused by very heavy rain and melt water from the Alps. Some 25% of the country is below sea level.

An emergency kit should contain at least 3 litres of water per person, non-perishable food, matches in a watertight container, candles, a battery operated radio and a torch, the AD said.

Insurance company Neerlandse has seen an increase of ‘thousands’ in the number of people who take out an insurance against flood damage, especially among those who live near dykes and rivers. Other insurance companies are also going to offer flood insurance, the paper said.

Extreme weather

The UN panel on climate change IPCC issued a stark warning to the world to cap global warming to 1.5 degrees or face more extreme weather conditions earlier this month.

According to the report, Western Europe, including the Netherlands, will be confronted with extremely high water levels in the event of a rise of two degrees of global temperatures.

And a recent report by the Delta Commission said sea level could go up by one to two metres if global warming reaches two degrees.