India Ranks Sixth in Extreme Weather Impact: $180 Billion Losses Since 1993
India is the sixth most affected country by extreme weather events from 1993 to 2023, suffering over $180 billion in economic losses and 80,000 deaths due to more than 400 extreme occurrences. Notable events include severe cyclones and intense heatwaves. The report highlights the need for increased financial support and mitigation efforts to combat climate change effects, particularly in lower middle-income countries.
India ranks sixth among the top 10 countries most impacted by extreme weather from 1993 to 2023, according to a report by the non-profit Germanwatch. The report details that the country has experienced over 400 extreme weather events, including extensive floods in 1993, 1998, and 2013, and severe heatwaves in 2002, 2003, and 2015, which have collectively resulted in $180 billion economic losses and approximately 80,000 fatalities.
Major weather-related events affecting India include the Gujarat cyclone in 1998, the Odisha cyclone in 1999, Cyclones Hudhud and Amphan in 2014 and 2020, the floods in northern India in 1993, the Uttarakhand floods in 2013, and severe flooding in 2019. The country has also witnessed recurring intense heatwaves, with temperatures reaching around 50°C leading to fatalities during events in 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2015.
The report identifies that countries such as China, India, and the Philippines are primarily impacted by regular extreme weather, whereas nations like Dominica, Honduras, Myanmar, and Vanuatu suffer from exceptional extreme events. Globally, extreme weather has resulted in over 765,000 deaths and caused economic losses exceeding $4.2 trillion, comparable to Germany’s GDP.
Among the various extreme weather hazards, the highest fatalities were linked to storms, followed by heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires over the past 30 years. The report also evaluates the effects of extreme events in 2022, noting that Pakistan, Belize, and Italy were among the most affected, with heatwaves causing the most fatalities.
Specifically for 2022, data shows that numerous European countries—Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Bulgaria—were significantly impacted by a prolonged heatwave, resulting in high death tolls. The report indicates that five of the ten most affected countries from 1993 to 2022, including India, belong to the lower middle-income group.
The report emphasizes the need for increased financial support, stating that vulnerable countries face disproportionate impacts from climate change due to limited resources for adaptation and loss management. Lina Adil, co-author of the report, advocates for urgent escalation in mitigation efforts to keep global warming as close to 1.5°C as possible.
In conclusion, India faces significant challenges from extreme weather phenomena, ranking sixth globally in its impact. The cumulative economic losses and fatalities highlight the urgent need for enhanced adaptation and mitigation strategies, particularly in lower middle-income countries. The findings underscore the necessity for increased international support to tackle the adverse effects of climate change and safeguard vulnerable populations.
Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in
