2024 Disasters in Numbers
<p>In 2024, the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) recorded 393 natural hazard-related disasters. These events caused 16,753 fatalities and affected 167.2 million people. Economic losses totaled US$241.95
Natural Disasters
-
Disease may up toll in Myanmar 15-fold'
Bangkok: Oxfam says the initial estimated death toll of 100,000 in Myanmar as a result of Cyclone Nargis may multiply by up to 15 times if clean water and sanitation are not urgently provided.
-
China jolted, 20000 feared dead
Earthquake Measuring 7.8 Leaves 8,533 Dead In Sichuan Alone The death toll in Monday's earthquake that devastated parts of southwest China's Sichuan province appeared heading towards a massive figure that might surpass 20,000 people. Till late evening on Monday, official sources confirmed 8,533 deaths in Sichuan alone, but indicated that the situation was so grim that a lot more people may have lost lives.
-
Over 8,700 people killed as quake rocks China
A major earthquake of 7.8 magnitude ripped through southwest China on Monday afternoon, killing more than 8,700 people and sending shock waves through cities across a large swathe of the country and southeast Asia. The epicentre of the quake was pinpointed at Wenchuan County, some 100 km northwest of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province and home to over 12 million people.
-
Myanmar changes stand on cyclone relief
India joined other nations in urging Myanmar to accept international relief for its cyclone-affected people while continuing to send assistance by military aircraft and naval ships. Myanmar's military government acceded to the appeal during a telephonic conversation between External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his counterpart Nyan Win.
-
Effects of China earthquake felt in Maldives
Tremors resulting from the huge earthquake in China yesterday, which has claimed more than 10,000 lives, were felt all the way here in Maldives, Department of Meteorology has said. Fathmath Fairooza, a Geological Observer at the Department of Meteorology, said that the effects of the 7.82 magnitude earthquake in China 4300km away was felt in Maldives as a tremor of magnitude 3 on the Richter scale. "The effects of the earthquake were felt in Shanghai in China and Bangkok in Thailand also,' she said. "The tremor was recorded by the sensors at Hanimaadhoo.'
-
Hu orders all-out relief for victims
President Hu Jintao on Monday ordered large-scale efforts to help those affected by the earthquake that jolted Wenchuan County of south-west China's Sichuan Province on Monday. Mr. Hu directed local authorities to rescue the injured as soon as possible and to ensure the safety of people in the quake-hit areas. Premier Wen Jiabao flew into Sichuan on Monday to oversee rescue work.
-
China crippled by loss of power, water, travel, life
Monday's deadly earthquake occurred on a fault where South Asia pushes against the Eurasian landmass, smashing the Sichuan plain into mountains leading to the Tibetan highlands. Worst affected were four counties including the quake's epicenter in Wenchuan, 60 miles northwest of Chengdu. Landslides left roads impassable Tuesday, causing the government to order soldiers into the area on foot, state television said. Heavy rain prevented four military helicopters from landing.
-
Fukuda offers support to quake-hit China as death toll mounts
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda sent a message Monday to Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao saying that Japan is prepared to offer every support to quake-hit China if necessary, the Foreign Ministry said. In the message conveyed through the Japanese Embassy in China, Fukuda also expressed sympathy over the damage caused by the powerful earthquake in western China, it said.
-
Rs 950 lakhs spent to procure machinery
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has procured machinery worth Rs 950 lakhs to cope up with situations arising out of natural or man-made disasters. The purchase was made after the committee, headed by MCD commissioner, suggested that the procurement of the machinery is necessary to deal with disaster management. The committee also comprised of other senior member of the MCD, including engineering-in-chief, all chief engineers and director vigilance.
-
Typhoon moves northward off eastern Japan
Typhoon Rammasun moved northeastwardly off the coast of eastern Japan in the Pacific on Tuesday morning while causing high waves but losing its strength, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The season's second typhoon, generating winds of up to 126 kilometers per hour, was located about 240 kilometers southeast of Hachijo Island in the Izu island chain and was moving at around 35 kph as of 3 p.m. The island lies about 300 km south of Tokyo. The tropical cyclone is expected to be downgraded to an extratropical depression Tuesday night.