India has been ranked sixth among the top 10 countries affected by extreme weather events from 1993 to 2023, incurring losses of $180 billion. The Climate Risk Index report by Germanwatch notes that over 400 extreme events have caused at least 80,000 fatalities. The need for enhanced financial support for adaptation and mitigation actions in vulnerable countries is emphasized.
A recent report indicates that India ranks sixth among the top 10 nations most severely affected by extreme weather events from 1993 to 2023, incurring economic losses of approximately $180 billion. The report, compiled by the non-profit organization Germanwatch, highlights over 400 extreme events in India during this period, resulting in at least 80,000 fatalities and significant economic ramifications.
Notable weather disasters in India include devastating floods in 1993, 1998, and 2013, as well as severe heatwaves recorded in 2002, 2003, and 2015. Cyclones such as the 1998 Gujarat and the 1999 Odisha cyclones, along with Cyclones Hudhud and Amphan in 2014 and 2020, also contributed to the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather. In addition to flooding, India has consistently faced intense heatwaves that reached temperatures nearing 50°C, leading to fatalities in various years.
Globally, extreme weather events have caused over 765,000 fatalities and economic losses surpassing $4.2 trillion, equivalent to Germany’s Gross Domestic Product. The report emphasizes that storm-related fatalities have accounted for the majority, followed by heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires over the last three decades.
Further analysis of extreme weather events in 2022 revealed that Pakistan, Belize, and Italy were among the countries most impacted, while the United States, Nigeria, Portugal, and Bulgaria also ranked high. Notably, the 2022 European heatwave was a significant contributor to high fatalities, particularly affecting countries such as Italy, Greece, and Spain.
The report underscores the financial disparities among affected nations, indicating that five of the ten most affected countries, including India, fall within the lower middle-income group. This underscores the urgent need for increased financial support and enhanced mitigation actions to combat the detrimental effects of climate change, particularly in the most vulnerable regions. As emphasized by Lina Adil, a Policy Advisor at Germanwatch, there is a need for financial backing to support adaptation and loss management efforts while maintaining commitments to limit global warming.
In summary, India is experiencing severe impacts from extreme weather events, ranking sixth among the most affected countries over the last three decades. The economic losses are staggering, amounting to $180 billion, alongside significant fatalities. The report calls for urgent financial support and mitigation actions to aid vulnerable countries in addressing climate change risks.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
