2020 South Asian floods

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2020 South Asian floods
South Asia location map.svg
Map of South Asia
DateMay - October 2020
Location Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
CauseHeavy monsoon rains
Deaths6,511
Property damage$105 billion USD [1] [2]

In 2020, floods have affected South Asia due to heavy monsoon rains. The floods caused $105 billion USD of damage ($88.5 billion in India, [1] $15 billion in Sri Lanka, [2] and $1.5 billion in Pakistan [2] ), making it the costliest standalone flood in modern history, and the ninth costliest disaster of all time. In addition there were 6,511 fatalities, the most reported in a flood since Cyclone Sidr in 2007. Floods continued in 2021 and 2022.

Contents

Impact

Afghanistan

In April, floods killed at least 11 people and damaged around 700 houses. [3] Between July and August, floods had affected around half of Afghanistan, killing 190 people and damaged around 2,000 homes. [2] [4]

Bangladesh

In May, Cyclone Amphan caused 20 deaths in Bangladesh. [5] In July, floods struck again, affecting 3.3 million people, and killing 260 more people. [2] [6] [7]

India

Cyclone Amphan killed at least 86 people in West Bengal, India. [8] From July to October, over 5,000 people died in flooding. [1] [2] [9]

Nepal

From June to September, floods in Nepal killed at least 401 people. [2] The Kathmandu Post reported that the floods were some of the worst in the country’s history. [10]

Pakistan

At least 410 people died in floods in Pakistan. Over 310,000 homes were damaged by flood water, causing $1.5 billion USD of damage. [2]

Sri Lanka

At least 133 people have died when floods damaged 3 million homes and caused $15 billion USD in damages. [2]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical cyclones in India</span>

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Widespread monsoon flooding occurred in the South Asian countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan from July through September 2017. More than 45 million people were affected by the floods, including 16 million children.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclone Amphan</span> North Indian Ocean cyclone in 2020

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weather of 2020</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical cyclone effects by region</span> Tropical cyclone effects and impacts

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season in India</span>

The effects of the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season in India was considered one of the worst in decades, largely due to Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan. Throughout most of the year, a series of cyclones impacted the country, with the worst damage occurring in May, from Cyclone Amphan. The season started with Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan, which affected East India with very severe damages. 98 total people died from the storm. Approximately 1,167 km (725 mi) of power lines of varying voltages, 126,540 transformers, and 448 electrical substations were affected, leaving 3.4 million without power. Damage to the power grid reached ₹3.2 billion. Four people died in Odisha, two from collapsed objects, one due to drowning, and one from head trauma. Across the ten affected districts in Odisha, 4.4 million people were impacted in some way by the cyclone. At least 500 homes were destroyed and a further 15,000 were damaged. Nearly 4,000 livestock, primarily poultry, died. The cyclone was strongest at its northeast section. The next storm was a depression that did not affect India. Then Severe Cyclonic Storm Nisarga hit Maharashtra, with high damages. Nisarga caused 6 deaths and 16 injuries in the state. Over 5,033 ha of land were damaged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effects of Cyclone Amphan in India</span>

Cyclone Amphan was the costliest tropical cyclone ever recorded in India and the North Indian Ocean, and the strongest cyclone ever since the 1999 Odisha Cyclone. It was the first storm, and strongest of the historic 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, the costliest recorded cyclone season. It made landfall in West Bengal with 100 mph winds. Within India, the storm killed 98 people, and caused $13.8 billion. Amphan produced extremely high winds that ripped roofs off houses and uprooted trees, and storm surges of 15 ft (4.6 m) in areas like Digha, West Bengal.

The following is a list of weather events in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weather of 2014</span>

The following is a list of weather events that occurred on Earth in the year 2014. There were several natural disasters around the world from various types of weather, including blizzards, cold waves, droughts, heat waves, tornadoes, and tropical cyclones. In September, floods in India and Pakistan killed 557 people. The costliest single event was Typhoon Rammasun, which killed 225 people and left over US$8 billion in damage when it moved through the Philippines, China, and Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weather of 2015</span>

The following is a list of weather events that occurred on Earth in the year 2015. There were several natural disasters around the world from various types of weather, including blizzards, cold waves, droughts, heat waves, tornadoes, and tropical cyclones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Africa floods</span>

Throughout 2022, floods affected most of Africa, killing over 2,100 people. The worst affected country was Nigeria, with over 610 deaths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 South Asian floods</span>

From January to October 2022, excessive rainfall and widespread monsoon flooding occurred in the South Asian countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It has become the region's deadliest floods since 2020, with over 3,700 people dead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 South Asian floods</span>

After over 6,500 people died in flooding in 2020, monsoon floods hit South Asia again in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weather of 2012</span>

The weather of 2012 marked the fewest fatalities from natural disasters in a decade, although there were several damaging and deadly floods, tropical cyclones, tornadoes, and other weather events. These include blizzards, cold waves, droughts, heat waves, and wildfires.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Weather and climate extremes in India killed thousands, displaced millions and cost billions in 2020". World Meteorological Organization . 26 October 2021. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Global Catastrophe Recap December 2020" (PDF). Aon Benfield Analytics. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  3. Richard Davies. "Afghanistan – Flash Floods Leave 11 Dead, Homes Destroyed".
  4. Richard Davies. "Afghanistan – Flash Floods Death Toll Rises to 145".
  5. Zaman, Tauhid; Jessore; Mostafa, Arif; Pirojpur; Sardar, Asaduzzaman; Satkhira; Nasim, Nazmul; Bogra; Dhar, Bijoy; Rangamati (21 May 2020). "Cyclone Amphan weakens as death toll rises to 20". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  6. Richard Davies. "Bangladesh – 167,000 Families Still Displaced by Floods Says UN".
  7. Richard Davies. "Bangladesh – Monsoon Floods Affect 3.3 Million".
  8. "Mamata pegs cyclone Amphan damage at ₹1 lakh crore, toll rises to 86". The Hindu. THG Publishing. 23 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  9. "India Floods - Situation report as of 18 August 2020" (PDF). ReliefWeb . 18 August 2020.
  10. "Despite tackling disasters every monsoon, Nepal fails to learn from experience". The Kathmandu Post.