• Between 1970 and 2019, weather, climate and water hazards accounted for 50% of all disasters, 45% of all reported deaths, and 74% of all reported economic losses, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• According to the World Economic Forum, catastrophic events have been recorded in the past 20 years, killing 1.23 million people.
• A look back at the natural disasters that struck different parts of India this year.

While India was already struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic this year, natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes caused by climate change have also made life difficult for the people of India and in some cases even made life-threatening.

The number of disasters has quintupled over the 50 years due to climate change, more extreme weather conditions and improved reporting. Between 1970 and 2019, weather, climate and water hazards accounted for 50% of all disasters, 45% of all reported deaths, and 74% of all reported economic losses, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Extreme weather conditions have increased dramatically in the past 20 years and will continue to devastate the world, warns the United Nations (UN).

According to the World Economic Forum, 7,348 disaster events have been recorded in the past 20 years, killing 1.23 million people. Between 2000 and 2019, China reported 577 disasters – the highest, followed by the US (467) and India (321).

A look back at the natural disasters that struck different parts of India this year –