In numbers: Examining the consequences of natural disasters in India in the last two decades
According to statistics from the Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, 834 lost their lives in natural calamities in 2001–02. The figure increased to 1,995 in 2004–05, and reached more than 2,500 the following year, a growth of 35 per cent. Deaths exceeded 3,700 by 2007–08.In subsequent years, the number of human lives lost remained between 900 and 2,000 per year, before a sudden spike in 2013–14, when the deaths numbered 5,677, five times more than the previous year. This was because of a cloudburst in Uttarakhand in June 2013, which caused floods and landslides, mainly in the Kedarnath region.The numbers went up in 2023–24 with 2,616 fatalities, a nearly 65 per cent increase, and then 3,080 fatalities in 2024–25, an 18 per cent increase.Beyond lives: cattle, houses, and cropsDisasters have also resulted in cattle deaths. In 2005–06, over 1.1 lakh cattle were lost, and the figure climbed rapidly during 2006–07 to 4.5 lakh, the maximum reported between 2001–02 and 2024–25. About 1.19 lakh cattle were lost in 2023–24 and approximately 62,000 in 2024–25.Housing damage followed a similar pattern. In 2007–08, about 35.2 lakh houses were damaged, the highest in two decades. Even in years with fewer human deaths, property damage remained high: 13.3 lakh houses in 2010–11, and 9.1 lakh in 2017–18. In 2024–25, the number was over 3.6 lakh houses. Farming has been affected too. So far this year, more than 1.57 lakh hectares of cultivated area have been affected by hydro-meteorological disasters. In 2007–08, close to 85 lakh hectares of land came under the effect of damage, and in 2019–20, that number increased to 114 lakh hectares, a record for the period in question. Only about 13.3 lakh hectares were damaged in 2023–24 and 14.2 lakh hectares in 2024–25.Relief expenditureExpenditure on disaster relief has increased over the years. Fund releases under the State Disaster Response Fund rose from Rs 23,186 crore in 2020–21 to Rs 28,184 crore in 2025–26, an increase of Rs 5,000 crore as of just July 30.Meanwhile, central assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund has varied from Rs 8,257 crore in 2020–21 to Rs 869 crore in 2023–24, and Rs 5,161 crore in 2024–25.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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Indian Express
3 hours ago
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Among areas inundated junction where BMC spent Rs 130 crore for pumping station
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News18
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Heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, over 380 roads closed
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