India’s Extreme Weather Impact: $180 Billion Losses Over Three Decades

India is ranked sixth in a recent report on the top 10 countries affected by extreme weather events, experiencing over 400 such occurrences since 1993. The economic toll has reached $180 billion with at least 80,000 fatalities. The report calls for increased financial support for vulnerable countries to help them adapt to climate change impacts.

India has ranked sixth among the top 10 countries most impacted by extreme weather events over the last three decades, according to a report by Germanwatch’s Climate Risk Index (CRI). Between 1993 and 2023, the nation experienced over 400 extreme events, including catastrophic floods and severe heatwaves, leading to estimated economic losses of $180 billion and at least 80,000 fatalities.

Significant events that affected India during this period include major floods in 1993 and 2013, the Gujarat cyclone in 1998, and the Odisha cyclone in 1999. Additionally, heatwaves reaching extreme temperatures were recorded in 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2015, causing considerable loss of life. The report emphasizes that both the absolute fatalities and economic losses in India are remarkably high.

Globally, these extreme weather phenomena have resulted in over 765,000 deaths and economic losses exceeding $4.2 trillion. The highest fatality rates were associated with storms, followed by heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires over the past three decades. In terms of specific events in 2022, countries like Pakistan, Belize, and Italy faced significant impacts from extreme weather.

The report indicates that among the countries most affected from 1993 to 2022, five belonged to the lower middle-income category, while others included upper middle-income and high-income nations. In 2022, only two of the top ten most affected countries were from the lower middle-income group, highlighting disparities in vulnerability and impact across income levels.

In conclusion, the document advocates for increased financial support for vulnerable nations, noting their limited capability to manage and adapt to climate change impacts. Lina Adil, a Policy Advisor at Germanwatch, emphasized the necessity for these nations to enhance their mitigation efforts to limit global warming and prevent further losses. “Most vulnerable countries are disproportionately affected… due to their limited financial and technical capabilities.”

In summary, India ranks sixth in the CRI report for extreme weather impacts, suffering $180 billion in economic losses and significant fatalities over the past three decades. Notable disasters, including floods and heatwaves, have underscored the country’s vulnerability. The need for enhanced financial support to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts is urgent, as highlighted by the report’s findings.

Original Source: www.downtoearth.org.in