The Climate Risk Index 2025 by Germanwatch indicates that India ranks among the most affected countries by extreme weather, experiencing significant economic losses and fatalities due to various climate-related events. Alongside China, the Philippines, and Pakistan, India continues to face ongoing challenges linked to extreme weather, contributing to total global damages of USD 4.2 trillion over the past 30 years. The report also emphasizes the urgency of increased support for vulnerable nations in responding to climate impacts.
According to the Climate Risk Index 2025 by Germanwatch, India ranks as one of the ten most affected nations by extreme weather events between 1993 and 2022. Dominica, China, and Honduras topped the list of severely impacted countries, while Myanmar, Italy, and India also faced significant challenges. India specifically, placed sixth, contended with devastating floods and severe heatwaves during the observed period.
India has experienced over 400 extreme weather events resulting in substantial economic losses tallying USD 180 billion and claiming approximately 80,000 lives. Noteworthy incidents include the Gujarat cyclone in 1998, the Odisha cyclone in 1999, and the Uttarakhand floods in 2013. The country has also recorded extreme heatwaves reaching temperatures close to 50 degrees Celsius in multiple years, greatly impacting public health.
Alongside India, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan face ongoing threats associated with climate-induced extreme weather. The comprehensive analysis illustrates that, globally, extreme weather events have resulted in nearly 800,000 fatalities and cumulative damages reaching USD 4.2 trillion over three decades. The report highlights that nations in the Global South are particularly vulnerable to these adverse impacts.
The Climate Risk Index utilizes data from the International Disaster Database and socio-economic statistics from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to rank countries based on human and economic losses from climate-related extreme events. Developed countries such as Italy and Spain also appear on the list, demonstrating that no nation is immune to these crises.
Laura Schaefer, Head of Division for International Climate Policy at Germanwatch, emphasized the need for bold multilateral actions to address the climate crisis, stating that it constitutes an emerging global security risk. Schaefer remarked that the significant impacts of extreme weather on the Global South underscore an urgent need for comprehensive data and response measures.
The report critiques the insufficient climate finance available for addressing extreme weather impacts. The recent COP29 meeting in Baku failed to establish an ambitious funding target for climate finance, which has hindered efforts to meet the escalating needs of developing countries. David Eckstein, Senior Advisor for Climate Finance and Investments, underscored the urgency for high-emission nations to escalate their mitigation efforts, declaring that the costs of inaction will only exacerbate future human and economic damages.
The Climate Risk Index 2025 reveals that India, along with China and several other nations, continues to endure severe consequences from extreme weather events driven by climate change. With significant human and economic losses, this trend underscores the urgent need for enhanced climate finance and global cooperation to address the escalating climate crisis effectively. Leaders must prioritize these discussions to mitigate future impacts and support the most vulnerable countries.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
