India’s Climate Disaster Ranking
India ranks ninth globally among countries most affected by climate disasters over the past 30 years.
The ranking is based on the Germanwatch Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026, released at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
Frequent disasters include floods, cyclones, heat waves, and droughts, affecting human life, livelihoods, and the economy.
Impact Over Three Decades (1995–2024)
Over 430 extreme weather events recorded in India.
More than one billion people affected.
Over 80,000 lives lost due to climate-related disasters.
Economic losses estimated at approximately $170 billion.
Major disasters include:
1998 gujarat Cyclone
1999 odisha Super Cyclone
2013 uttarakhand Floods
Situation in 2024
India ranked 15th among the most affected countries in 2024.
Floods affected about 50 million people globally, the most significant disaster worldwide.
Heat waves affected 33 million people, and droughts affected 29 million globally.
In india, monsoon rains and flash floods affected 8 million people in gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tripura.
Livelihoods and Human Impact
Recurrent disasters are weakening people’s livelihoods and economic security.
Repeated extreme events make recovery increasingly difficult.
India’s experience demonstrates the growing risk and vulnerability to climate disasters.
Global Context
Over the last 30 years, the most affected countries include: Dominica, Myanmar, Honduras, Libya, haiti, Grenada, the Philippines, Nicaragua, india, and the Bahamas.
Countries like india face frequent, successive disasters, leaving little time for recovery.
Expert Insight
Vera Kunzel, Senior Advisor at Germanwatch:
"Countries like india, the Philippines, and haiti are hit so frequently by floods, heatwaves, or storms that before they can recover from one disaster, another occurs."
Emphasizes the need for long-term support for mitigation and adaptation to overcome climate challenges.
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