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The Netherlands has established itself as a global leader in land preservation against rising waters, investing around 1.3 billion euros annually to sustain a vast network of dikes, polders, canals, windmills, concrete barriers, and embankments designed to prevent flooding, according to a study cited by The News. Additionally, constructed artificial mounds, known as Terpins, have been incorporated to elevate the land.
Similar to Bangladesh, the Netherlands has developed a flood alert system that notifies residents 24 hours before potential deluges strike, providing critical early warnings. The extensive flood defense infrastructure they have built over decades is unmatched worldwide.
The Dutch have also constructed a massive sea gate protecting Rotterdam’s port — Europe’s largest and a key industrial hub. Reports describe this gate as having two curved arms, each towering as high and heavy as twice the Eiffel Tower. When activated, these arms swing into position to lock together and sink to form a 22-meter-high barrier against the sea. It’s one of the world’s largest movable structures, with each joint weighing around 680 tonnes.
From 1962 to 2004, Rotterdam was the world’s busiest port by cargo volume; however, it was later surpassed by Singapore, and more recently, by Shanghai and other large Chinese ports. In 2019, international investors eagerly bought into a 5.98 billion euro Green Bond issued by the Netherlands, aimed at funding climate resilience projects and fostering a low-carbon economy. Much of this funding focuses on utilizing coastal and river ecosystems to buffer against climate impacts such as floods. The response was overwhelming, with subscriptions exceeding the issuance amount by over 15.2 billion euros.
Although climate change poses ongoing threats, the Dutch have significantly decreased flood risk—reducing the probability from once every 100 years to once every 1,250 years. Their history of battling floods dates back more than a millennium, continually reshaping the landscape. The country’s three main rivers are the Rhine, Meuse, and Schelde.
With approximately two-thirds of its land highly susceptible to flooding, the densely populated Netherlands has 15 million residents living below sea level. The Rhine, along with its tributaries, frequently threatens the region, with early dikes dating back to the 11th century to combat rising waters and sea incursions.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, catastrophic river floods caused thousands of fatalities, often triggered by ice dams that obstructed river flow. Human activities like land reclamation, planting large willow groves, and developing winter river beds worsened flooding problems. The 1287 St. Lucia flood remains one of the most devastating, killing over 50,000 people and creating the direct seaway into Amsterdam, catalyzing its emergence as a major port.
Floods in 1421 claimed up to 10,000 lives, while the 1953 disaster—one of the worst in recent history—killed 2,400 residents and inundated around 770 square miles, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate amid collapsing flood defenses. The storm also inflicted damage across England, Belgium, and Germany. Urban expansion has become a major factor increasing flood risk, as dense development over centuries has destroyed vegetation that would otherwise intercept rainfall. Excessive paving with impermeable materials like tar and cement further exacerbates surface runoff, reducing the land’s natural capacity to absorb water and accelerating flood events.
Coastal erosion and rising sea levels threaten low-lying areas, with land reclamation leading to more vulnerable shorelines susceptible to wave action and sinking terrain. Deforestation for agriculture and urban development has also contributed. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of the Dutch economy, with over 70% of the country’s land dedicated to farming, making it the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural products.
The Guardian notes that the Netherlands has fought water for more than 1,000 years, starting with early dykes built by farmers. Windmills have been pumping water since the 14th century. Despite its dense population and vulnerability—60% of the country is prone to flooding—Dutch engineers are renowned worldwide for their expertise in water management. Their innovation export includes advising on water governance projects in China, Africa, and Australia. However, a report from The British highlights that there are no financial compensation packages for residents displaced by flood control measures, with most only receiving market value for their homes and limited assistance in relocating.
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