India’s Severe Vulnerability to Extreme Weather Events Over Three Decades

India is ranked sixth among the top ten countries most affected by extreme weather events from 1993 to 2023, incurring $180 billion in economic losses and around 80,000 fatalities. Major disasters included floods and heatwaves, alongside significant cyclones. The report calls for increased financial support for vulnerable nations to combat the effects of climate change and improve adaptation strategies.

According to a recent report, India ranks sixth among the top ten nations most affected by extreme weather events from 1993 to 2023. The report highlights significant weather-related disasters that India underwent, including major floods in 1993, 1998, and 2013, as well as severe heatwaves recorded in 2002, 2003, and 2015. In total, over 400 extreme weather events have struck the country, leading to economic losses of $180 billion and approximately 80,000 deaths, as per the Climate Risk Index (CRI) published by the non-profit Germanwatch.

Noteworthy extreme weather events affecting India include the cyclones in Gujarat and Odisha in 1998 and 1999, respectively, as well as Cyclones Hudhud and Amphan in 2014 and 2020. Additionally, the floods in northern India in 1993, the Uttarakhand floods in 2013, and severe floods in 2019 have contributed to the country’s vulnerability. Furthermore, heatwaves with temperatures soaring around 50°C have been deadly for many, particularly during 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2015.

Recurring extreme weather events have predominantly impacted countries like China, India, and the Philippines. In contrast, nations such as Dominica, Honduras, Myanmar, and Vanuatu were severely affected by exceptional extreme events. Globally, these weather occurrences have led to over 765,000 fatalities and more than $4.2 trillion in economic losses—a sum equivalent to Germany’s entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Over the past three decades, the highest number of fatalities resulted from storms, followed by heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires. The CRI report also assesses extreme weather events in 2022, where countries like Pakistan, Belize, and Italy were notably impacted, with heatwaves causing the majority of deaths. The European heatwave of that year was particularly lethal, affecting Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Bulgaria.

The findings from 1993 to 2022 show that five of the ten most affected nations, including India, are from the lower middle-income group. Two countries in the upper middle-income group were Dominica and China, while Italy, Greece, and Spain belong to the high-income group. In the rankings for 2022, only Pakistan and Nigeria were from the lower middle-income bracket, whereas the majority of the affected countries were high-income nations.

The report underscores the necessity for increased financial support to vulnerable nations. Lina Adil, a Policy Advisor for Adaptation and Loss & Damage at Germanwatch, states the disproportionate effects of climate change on limited-capacity countries, advocating for urgent mitigation actions to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Without financial and technical support, these nations struggle to adapt effectively and manage substantial losses and damages.

In conclusion, India remains one of the most adversely affected nations from extreme weather events, experiencing severe economic impacts and tragic loss of life. With numerous notable weather disasters over the past three decades, the need for enhanced financial support and better mitigation strategies is increasingly crucial for vulnerable countries facing climate change effects. The report emphasizes urgent action to prevent further losses and manage the implications of extreme weather events more effectively.

Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in