India and China among Nations Most Affected by Extreme Weather:…

The Climate Risk Index 2025 indicates that India is among the top ten countries most affected by climate-related extreme weather between 1993 and 2022. The report highlights over 400 extreme events causing significant economic losses and fatalities in India. Globally, extreme weather events resulted in nearly 800,000 deaths and damages of 4.2 trillion US dollars over 30 years, with countries in the Global South experiencing profound impacts.

The Climate Risk Index 2025 published by Germanwatch has highlighted that India is among the top ten nations most severely impacted by climate-induced extreme weather events from 1993 to 2022. Dominica, China, and Honduras lead this ranking, with India placed 6th, experiencing significant consequences from floods, heatwaves, and cyclones, resulting in over 400 extreme events costing approximately USD 180 billion and claiming at least 80,000 lives.

India’s vulnerability is evidenced by catastrophic incidents such as the Gujarat cyclone in 1998 and the Odisha cyclone in 1999, alongside severe heatwaves recorded in years like 1998, 2002, and 2015 that reached nearly 50 degrees Celsius. Other countries, including China, Myanmar, Italy, and Pakistan, also face recurrent threats from climate crises.

Overall, the report indicates that extreme weather globally has resulted in almost 800,000 fatalities and inflicted damages amounting to 4.2 trillion US dollars over the past 30 years. Nations in the Global South are particularly beleaguered, with an index ranking countries based on the human and economic impacts of such events.

Laura Schaefer, Head of Division for International Climate Policy at Germanwatch, emphasized that “the climate crisis is increasingly becoming a global security risk and must be addressed with bold multilateral actions.” This statement underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action in light of the disproportionate impact on countries in the Global South, where data inadequacies may obscure even more significant losses and human effects.

The report also criticizes the insufficiency of climate finance to address these extreme weather challenges effectively. The outcomes of COP29 highlighted failures in delivering a robust New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on Climate Finance, necessitating substantial financial increments to aid vulnerable nations as they confront escalating climate pressures.

David Eckstein, Senior Advisor for Climate Finance and Investments, remarked, “High-income and high-emission countries must recognize the urgency of accelerating mitigation efforts.” This sentiment reflects the urgent need for increased investment in both mitigation and adaptation to avert future humanitarian and economic costs related to climate change.

The Climate Risk Index 2025 from Germanwatch reveals the grave impact of extreme weather events on India and other nations, leading to substantial loss of life and economic damages. Strong calls for immediate multilateral actions and increased climate finance highlight the need for a collective global response to mitigate further vulnerabilities arising from climate change. India, ranking sixth, exemplifies the urgent necessity for enhanced adaptation and mitigation measures as climate crises escalate across the Global South.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com