Locations Affected

Northern Regions (Flash floods, landslides), Coasts (storms, floods)

Global Climate Risk Index

Though it only comprises two percent of the world’s landmass, India is home to one-sixth of the world’s population. Approximately 85 percent of Indian land is vulnerable to one or more natural hazards, with 68 percent vulnerable to drought, 57 percent to earthquakes, and 12 percent to floods.
India has experienced high economic growth, especially in the communications and technology industry. Thus, a large-scale disaster can have a significant impact on the country’s economy and destroy any progress in economic development. Human factors such as deforestation, poor agricultural and land use practices, urbanization and construction of large infrastructure all contribute to disaster risks and people’s vulnerability.
The most common disaster in India is flooding, which constitutes 46 percent of all disaster events and contributes the highest economic loss. About 3,000 square miles flood annually.
The northern region of India experiences recurring floods from major rivers, including the Ganges and Brahmaputra and their tributaries, especially during monsoon season. The plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are frequently affected by water overflow from major rivers. Excess rainfall over a short period can also lead to flash flooding, while insufficient rainfall will lead to drought.
Storms are the second most recurring disaster following floods. Of India’s 7,500 kilometers of coastline, approximately 5,700 kilometers are prone to cyclones and other storms from both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The East coast of India is vulnerable to cyclones and coastal flooding during the months of May to June and October to November. Storms are frequent in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu along the Bay of Bengal and parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat on the Arabian Sea.