India Ranks 9th Globally: Climate Disasters Claim 80,000 Lives and Affect 1.3 Billion People Since 1995

India has been ranked 9th globally among nations most severely affected by climate disasters over the last three decades, according to a recent report.

The Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026, published by environmental think tank Germanwatch at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, reveals that approximately 430 extreme weather events have claimed over 80,000 lives in India between 1995 and 2024.

These climate disasters have impacted about 1.3 billion people across the country and resulted in economic damages estimated at nearly USD 170 billion during this period.

The report attributes India's significant losses primarily to recurring floods, cyclones, droughts, and heat waves that have intensified due to global warming.

Major catastrophic events contributing to India's high ranking include the 1998 Gujarat cyclone, the 1999 Odisha super cyclone, the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, and several recent deadly heat waves.

India's vulnerability represents a "continuous threat" rather than isolated incidents, as these recurring extreme weather events have steadily eroded development progress and undermined livelihoods throughout the country.

The country's extensive population and high exposure to monsoon variability make it particularly susceptible, with millions of people affected by extreme climate events annually.

In 2024 alone, India experienced heavy monsoon rains and flash floods that affected more than eight million people, with Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tripura among the worst-hit regions.

Globally, floods and storms were identified as the most damaging climate events last year, accounting for nearly half of all affected populations and causing billions in financial losses.

The Germanwatch report indicates that over the past three decades, more than 9,700 extreme weather events worldwide have claimed approximately 830,000 lives, affected nearly 5.7 billion people, and caused direct economic damage of around USD 4.5 trillion.

Dominica topped the list of most-affected countries, followed by Myanmar, Honduras, Libya, Haiti, Grenada, Philippines, Nicaragua, India, and Bahamas.

Developing nations continue to bear a disproportionate burden due to their limited coping capacity and insufficient resources for adaptation measures.

While El Niño conditions influenced weather patterns in 2024, the report emphasizes that human-induced climate change played a decisive role in intensifying heat waves, storms, and floods globally.

Scientific studies cited in the report found that climate change has made many of these events more likely and more severe, including extended periods of dangerous heat affecting billions of people.

The report warns that such frequent disasters are becoming the "new normal" for many developing countries, including India, necessitating urgent and well-funded adaptation strategies.

These repeated losses strain public finances and weaken communities' ability to recover, pushing many deeper into poverty cycles.

Germanwatch states that the Climate Risk Index findings should serve as a critical reminder for global leaders at COP30 to address the climate finance gap and accelerate efforts to reduce emissions and strengthen resilience.

The escalating economic and human costs highlight the need for countries like India to prioritize adaptation planning, early warning systems, and protection for vulnerable populations.

The think tank also acknowledges certain data limitations in their analysis, noting that some countries, particularly in the Global South, may be underrepresented due to incomplete reporting of climate disasters.