Dr. Andreas Klippe, aka „Dr. Flood“ on the Future of Flood Protection
An interview with Dr. Alexander Krah and Dr. Andreas Klippe, also known as „Dr. Flood,“ an internationally recognized expert in flood protection and water management.
Dr. Alexander Krah: Good morning, Andi! I’m very excited to talk to you today about flood protection. You’re known as „Dr. Flood“ and are considered an expert in managing extreme rainfall and water disasters. In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between flood events in Southeast Asia and here in Germany?
Dr. Andreas Klippe: Good morning, Alexander! There are indeed some significant differences. In Asia, temperatures are typically higher, so floods can occur at any time of the year. In Europe, on the other hand, we mainly experience floods during the winter months when it’s cold and freezing. However, in Asia and the Middle East, the temperatures are constantly high—often between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius or even higher. But regardless of the location, floods have the same consequences everywhere: destruction, massive damage to buildings and infrastructure, and people living in fear. In the end, such events destroy not just material values but also people‘s sense of security.
Dr. Krah: That sounds worrying. When I think back to my youth, I feel like there were more floods back then than there are today. Is my feeling deceiving me, or is that actually true?
Dr. Klippe: Your feeling isn‘t entirely wrong. It might seem like we have fewer floods today, but in reality, we are dealing with more frequent and intense flood events now. I think this is a direct result of climate change. Even if you don‘t believe in climate change, it doesn‘t change the facts: it rains more, and the rainfall is more intense. The amount of water falling in a shorter period is much higher than it used to be. That’s what matters—not whether you believe in climate change or not, but whether you are prepared to protect yourself and your environment from these dangers.
Dr. Krah: I completely agree. It doesn’t matter whether climate change is man-made or not—we have to deal with the consequences. This includes unexpected heavy rainfall. I’ve heard that in the Middle East, they’re using a technique called „Cloud Seeding.“ Can you explain what that is and how it works? Could it be dangerous?
Dr. Klippe: „Cloud Seeding“ is actually an interesting technique that has been around for several years. Basically, silver iodide particles are shot into the clouds. These particles act as condensation nuclei, causing the water droplets in the clouds to accumulate faster and turn into rain. The idea is to control the amount of rain and concentrate it in specific areas. But nature isn’t so easily controlled—rain can still fall where you don‘t want it because you can’t control the wind. Countries like the United Arab Emirates are experimenting with this to improve water availability in their extremely dry regions.
Dr. Krah: That sounds like a risky endeavor. When I first heard of „Cloud Seeding,“ I thought it might even be possible to create clouds. But it’s more about using existing clouds to influence the intensity of rainfall?
Dr. Klippe: Exactly, that’s right. It’s about influencing the growth of clouds so that it rains in specific areas and not where you want to avoid it. However, in big cities like Dubai, there’s a big problem: there’s a lot of concrete and not much natural landscape left. Additionally, they often lack adequate drainage systems to quickly divert water. This means that even small rainfalls can quickly lead to major flooding.
Dr. Krah: Another phenomenon I recently read about is called „Omega-3 weather.“ Can you explain what that‘s about?
Dr. Klippe: „Omega-3 weather“ is a term from meteorology. It describes a weather pattern where two low-pressure areas and one high-pressure area position themselves in such a way that they together form the shape of the Greek letter Omega. This constellation often leads to stable weather patterns with a lot of precipitation in a confined area. Even though I’m not a meteorologist, I know as a flood protection engineer that such weather patterns can pose a significant danger.
Dr. Krah: And what about La Niña and El Niño? These terms often come up in connection with extreme weather events.
Dr. Klippe: La Niña and El Niño are climate phenomena that originate in the Pacific Ocean. The terms come from Spanish, meaning „the girl“ (La Niña) and „the boy“ (El Niño). They describe unusual changes in sea surface temperatures and air pressure conditions that can affect weather worldwide. For example, La Niña causes cooler temperatures in the Pacific and can lead to drier weather in South America, while El Niño is associated with warmer water temperatures and heavy rainfall. These phenomena can trigger global weather extremes, such as droughts, floods, and storms.
Dr. Krah: These are really complex connections! When we look at urban planning: how should cities be designed, in your opinion, to better handle flooding in the future?
Dr. Klippe: There are various strategies that cities can use to better prepare for floods. First, we need to install better drainage systems in urban areas—pipes that are large enough to quickly drain large amounts of water. Second, we should build more underground water storage systems to capture excess rainwater. And third, we need modern flood protection barriers and individual protective measures to shield houses and critical infrastructure from flooding. It’s about managing the flow of water and minimizing the impact of floods.
Dr. Krah: That sounds like a comprehensive approach. If someone wants to learn more about flood protection or seek your help, what’s the best way to contact you?
Dr. Klippe: Interested parties can find me through my website www.andreasklippe.com. I’m happy to answer questions and provide advice. Flood protection is a challenge we all have to face, and I’m glad to help.
Dr. Krah: One last personal question: Do you believe we’re on the right track when it comes to flood protection? Should we continue to invest so much energy and resources into this work?
Dr. Klippe: Absolutely. There are moments when it can be frustrating because we often feel like we’re fighting an uphill battle. But we know our work is important. We must continue because natural disasters, especially floods, will continue to increase. People need us, and it is our responsibility to do everything we can to ensure their safety and well-being.
Dr. Krah: Thank you Andi, for this insightful conversation. It was a pleasure!