Published
Video length: 3 min
Floods: how the Netherlands is adapting to floods
One in four French people is already exposed to the risk of flooding, and the phenomenon is expected to increase due to climate change. Among the courses of action, regional planning, as in the Netherlands.
(France 2)
One in four French people is already exposed to the risk of flooding, and the phenomenon is expected to increase due to climate change. Among the courses of action, regional planning, as in the Netherlands.
Several months a year, the land of Olivier Schutzelaars, a Dutch breeder, is flooded up to 1.5 meters above the ground. They are part of the “Room for Rivers” program and are rented by the State four times cheaper. The farmer finds his advantage there. “The river brings minerals from the mountains. It makes silt, it settles and it replaces fertilizer”, he explains. Enough to obtain pasture for his 80 buffaloes, a species that grazes on grass adapted to flooding.
Living with water
“Before, we built dikes higher and higher, and it was very expensive. In fact, it’s simpler to let the river expand. Then we’re proud to do something good for the country”, adds the farmer. Downstream, the town is now protected from flooding, like several dozen other municipalities in the Netherlands. To let the water regain ground, however, several operations are necessary: pushing the dikes further, lowering the level of the floodplains and making the river bed deeper. However, sacrifices had to be made. Some owners, compensated by the State, were expropriated.
