Heat waves, floods and even dust storms took 2,227 lives in 2022: IMD

Jan 10, 2023 Credit: IMD

Number of deaths in 2022

According to the Annual Statement on Climate of India 2022 report by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), India reported 2,227 deaths in 2022 due to extreme weather conditions — highest in three years. Credit: IMD

Death toll in last two years

Around 1,750 people lost their lives in 2021 and 1,338 people in 2020, as per IMD. Credit: Unsplash

Here are the top ten states with the highest climate-related casualties in 2022.

Bihar — 418

415 people in Bihar died due to lightning and thunderstorms, and three deaths were caused by floods and heavy rainfall in 2022. Credit: Unsplash

Assam — 257

Assam reported over 198 casualties on account of floods and heavy rainfall, and 58 deaths were caused by lightning and thunderstorms. Credit: Unsplash

Uttar Pradesh — 201

Surprisingly, in Uttar Pradesh about 22 people lost their lives in a dust storm while 98 people died due to floods and heavy rainfall and 81 in lightning and thunderstorms. Credit: Unsplash

Odisha — 194

Odisha recorded 12 casualties, each, due to heat waves, floods and heavy rainfall. But, most of the casualties – 168 – were caused by lightning and thunderstorms. Credit: Unsplash

Maharashtra — 194

The state reported a total of 194 deaths — 64 due to lightning and thunderstorms, 116 due to floods and heavy rainfall and one in other climatic events. Credit: Unsplash

Jharkhand — 130

It reported over 122 casualties in lightning and thunderstorms, five in floods and heavy rainfall, one in a heat wave and two in other climatic events. Credit: Unsplash

Rajasthan — 126

The state saw 126 human casualties — 78 in floods and heavy rainfall and 48 in lightning and thunderstorms. Credit: Unsplash

Madhya Pradesh — 117

Floods and heavy rainfall caused all the climate related deaths in Madhya Pradesh, with only exception which was attributed to other climatic events. Credit: Unsplash

Himachal Pradesh — 88

The hilly state reported 75 human casualties in floods and heavy rainfall, 10 due to snowfall and three deaths were caused by lightning and thunderstorms. Credit: Unsplash

Chhattisgarh — 79

Lightning and thunderstorms caused 71 deaths, while seven were caused by floods and heavy rainfall, and one person died due to a heat wave in 2022. Credit: Unsplash