India ranks sixth among the top 10 countries affected by extreme weather events from 1993 to 2023, experiencing over 400 events costing $180 billion and resulting in 80,000 fatalities. Key events included floods and severe heatwaves, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to climate change. Global fatalities exceeded 765,000, emphasizing an urgent need for financial support and mitigation strategies across affected nations.
According to a recent report, India is ranked sixth among the top 10 countries significantly impacted by extreme weather events from 1993 to 2023. Over the past three decades, the nation has faced more than 400 extreme events, including devastating floods in 1993, 1998, and 2013, and severe heatwaves in 2002, 2003, and 2015. These events have resulted in economic losses totaling $180 billion and approximately 80,000 fatalities, as indicated by the Climate Risk Index (CRI) published by Germanwatch.
Notable disasters throughout the years include the 1998 Gujarat cyclone, the 1999 Odisha cyclone, Cyclones Hudhud and Amphan in 2014 and 2020, and the Uttarakhand floods in 2013. The intensity of heatwaves in India has also been alarming, with recorded temperatures close to 50°C leading to numerous fatalities during catastrophic years like 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2015. Countries predominantly affected by recurring extreme events include India, China, and the Philippines.
Globally, the report noted that over 765,000 fatalities and economic damages exceeding $4.2 trillion occurred due to extreme weather events. Among the various hazards, fatalities were mostly attributed to storms, followed by heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires over the last three decades. For 2022, countries such as Pakistan, Belize, and Italy topped the list of most affected nations, demonstrating the continued impact of climate change.
In 2022, heatwaves were responsible for the highest death toll, particularly due to severe conditions across Europe. The report highlighted that five of the ten most affected countries from 1993 to 2022, including India, were categorized as lower middle-income. The need for increased financial support was emphasized, as vulnerable nations struggle to manage the consequences of climate change due to limited resources and technical capabilities.
Lina Adil, Policy Advisor for Adaptation and Loss & Damage at Germanwatch, stressed, “Most vulnerable countries are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change partly due to their limited financial and technical capabilities to adapt and manage losses and damages.” This underlines the urgent need for heightened mitigation efforts to limit global warming as close to 1.5°C as possible.
In summary, India has suffered significantly from extreme weather over the last three decades, ranking sixth globally with immense economic and human losses. The report from Germanwatch indicates ongoing vulnerabilities and highlights the need for better financial support and mitigation strategies to combat the impacts of climate change, particularly in lower middle-income nations. The alarming frequency and severity of these events showcase the critical need for immediate action to protect affected regions from future disasters.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
