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India 9th among countries worst hit by climate disasters in last 30 years: Report

The last time this index was prepared, in 2023, India was ranked eighth.

India 9th among countries worst hit by climate disasters in last 30 yrs: Report

India has been ranked 9th in the list of countries worst affected by climate-related disasters in the last 30 years, according to the latest Climate Risk Index (CRI) report released by Germanwatch, a Bonn-based non-governmental organisation.

The last time this index was prepared, in 2023, India was ranked eighth. India’s rank has also improved in the list of countries worst affected by disasters in the previous year, from 10 in 2023 to 15 now. This could be due to a fewer number of disasters happening in India, but could also mean that the country has been steadily improving its resilience.

The report was prepared by analysing the present and historical climate data that are available in a public forum and was presented on the second day of the ongoing COP30 climate conference being held at Belém, Brazil.

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According to the report, globally 8.32 lakh lives were lost between 1995 and 2024 due to extreme weather events, out of which India has recorded 80,000 fatalities, or nearly 9.6% of the global number. The report states that in the past three decades as many as 430 extreme weather events like droughts, cyclones, heatwaves, and floods were reported in various parts of India, accounting for losses worth 170 billion USD. “The country (India) has faced various extreme weather events including floods, heat waves, cyclones and drought. Floods and landslides resulting from heavy monsoons have displaced millions and have damaged agriculture, and cyclones have devastated coastal areas underscoring India’s diverse climate risks,” the report states.

“Notable events with high fatalities and/or economic losses include the 1998 Gujarat and 1999 Odisha cyclones, cyclones – Hudhud and Amphan in 2014 and 2020, the 1993 floods in Northern India, Uttarakhand floods in 2013 and severe floods in 2019. Recurring and unusually intense heatwaves all with temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius, claimed many lives in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2015,” the report stated.

Pratip Acharya

Pratip Acharya is a seasoned journalist based in Mumbai reporting for The Indian Express. With a career spanning over a decade, his work demonstrates strong Expertise and Authority in critical urban issues, civic affairs, and electoral politics across Eastern and Western India. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express (IE), reporting from Mumbai. Core Authority: Pratip's reporting focuses sharply on local democracy and development, specializing in: Urban Governance and Civic Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis of municipal decision-making, city planning, and local infrastructure, essential for informed urban reporting. City Politics and Environment: Covering the political dynamics of Mumbai and surrounding areas, alongside critical environmental challenges impacting the metro region. Electoral Coverage (High-Stakes Experience): He has extensive experience in high-stakes political reporting, having covered major elections, establishing his Trustworthiness in political analysis: National: Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019. State: West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016 and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019. Major Assignments (Ground Reporting): Pratip demonstrated commitment during crises by conducting ground reporting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic since its breakout in 2020, offering first-hand accounts and analysis of the public health crisis. Experience Extensive Experience: Starting his career in 2014, Pratip has built his foundation across multiple prominent English dailies: Started at The Times of India in Kolkata (2014). Relocated to Mumbai (2016) and worked with The Free Press Journal and Hindustan Times before joining The Indian Express. Pratip Acharya's diverse experience across major publications, coupled with his specialized focus on the intricate details of urban governance and a track record of covering major electoral and health crises, establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for news from India's critical metropolitan centres. ... Read More

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