Waterlogging at the Hindmata area of Mumbai during extremely heavy rainfall this year. FILE PIC/ ASHISH RAJE
The Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2026, released by the environment think tank Germanwatch at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, on Tuesday, said climate disasters affected 1.3 billion people and caused economic losses worth almost USD 170 billion from 1995 to 2024
The report said the country's losses stemmed largely from repeated floods, cyclones, droughts and heat waves that have intensified with global warming
It further stated that India's situation represents a "continuous threat" rather than isolated disasters, as recurring weather extremes have steadily eroded development gains and undermined livelihoods
Globally, Germanwatch said more than 9,700 extreme weather events between 1995 and 2024, claiming over 8.3 lakh lives, affecting nearly 5.7 billion people and causing direct economic damage of around USD 4.5 trillion
Scientific studies cited in the report found that climate change made many of these events more likely and more severe, including prolonged spells of dangerous heat that affected billions
The report warned that such frequent disasters are becoming the "new normal" for many developing nations, including India, demanding urgent and well-funded adaptation measure
Germanwatch said that the findings of the Climate Risk Index should be seen as a reminder for global leaders meeting at COP30 to close the gap in climate finance and accelerate efforts to reduce emissions and strengthen resilience
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