India and China Most Affected by Extreme Weather Events, Report Reveals

India is ranked sixth among countries most affected by extreme weather events from 1993 to 2022, facing substantial economic losses and fatalities. The findings highlight significant impacts on the Global South and insufficient climate finance, stressing the need for international cooperation to address climate challenges effectively.

The Climate Risk Index 2025, published by Germanwatch, reveals that between 1993 and 2022, India was amongst the ten countries most severely impacted by climate-related extreme weather events. Specifically, Dominica, China, and Honduras were cited as the most affected, with India ranking sixth. Myanmar, Italy, and other nations also experienced significant extreme weather impacts during this period.

India has faced various extreme weather events, including floods, heatwaves, and cyclones. Pertinent incidents include catastrophic floods in 1993, 1998, and 2013, as well as intense heatwaves in 2002, 2003, and 2015. The report estimates over 400 unique extreme events in India, resulting in economic losses of approximately USD 180 billion and around 80,000 fatalities.

The country has witnessed notable events, such as the Gujarat cyclone in 1998 and the Odisha cyclone in 1999, in addition to cyclones Hudhud and Amphan in 2014 and 2020, and the Uttarakhand floods in 2013. Intense heatwaves have also been a recurring issue, with temperatures nearly reaching 50 degrees Celsius in several years.

The report indicates that countries such as China, India, the Philippines, and Pakistan consistently face threats from the ongoing climate crisis. Across the globe, extreme weather has led to nearly 800,000 deaths and incurred damages of about USD 4.2 trillion over thirty years. The Global South is particularly affected, emphasizing the severe impact of extreme weather events on these nations.

The Climate Risk Index employs a backward-looking approach, highlighting the human and economic consequences of climate-related disasters for various countries, ranking them based on fatalities, injuries, and economic losses. Developed nations such as Italy and Spain are also included in the rankings.

Laura Schaefer, Head of Division for International Climate Policy at Germanwatch, stated, “The climate crisis is increasingly becoming a global security risk and must be addressed with bold multilateral actions.” She emphasizes that past data shows significant impacts on Global South countries and calls for enhanced acknowledgment of climate challenges at international security discussions.

Furthermore, the report notes the inadequacy of available climate finance to address extreme weather events. The COP29 held in Baku failed to establish an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on Climate Finance. With developing countries requiring substantial support, the report insists that the proposed USD 300 billion annually by 2035 is merely the minimum needed to confront climate challenges effectively.

The authors advocate for urgent action, stating, “High-income and high-emission countries must recognize the urgency of accelerating mitigation efforts.” They highlight that economic losses of USD 4.2 trillion over the past 30 years approximate the entire GDP of Germany, emphasizing that failure to invest in mitigation and adaptation will result in even more significant human and financial burdens in the future.

The Climate Risk Index 2025 underscores the severe impacts of extreme weather events on countries like India, leading to significant human and economic tolls. It highlights a critical gap in climate finance, particularly affecting the Global South, as these nations endeavor to manage the escalating consequences of climate change. Urgent and coordinated international efforts are required to enhance climate resilience and address the financial needs of the most vulnerable countries enforcing the importance of global collaboration in tackling the climate crisis.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com