This paper finds evidence that the displacement of population by flooding is associated with a higher risk of social disorder in large cities in developing countries. Floods regularly displace large numbers of people in developing countries, leading to increased population movement from rural areas to the largest cities.

Climate change will exacerbate the challenges associated with environmental conditions, especially weather variability and extremes, in developing countries. These challenges play important, if as yet poorly understood roles in the development prospects of affected regions.