Context:
India is facing mounting economic losses due to the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, with studies showing that the country loses about 0.4% of its GDP every year. This places India among the most disaster-vulnerable nations in Asia, underscoring the growing importance of risk-informed development and disaster risk finance.
Key Highlights:
- Scale and Frequency of Disasters
- Emerging Asian economies, including India, China, and ASEAN-11, face around 100 natural disasters annually.
- Over the past decade, these disasters have affected nearly 80 million people each year.
- India’s average disaster-related economic loss stands at 0.4% of GDP annually (1990–2024).
- Nature of Vulnerability
- India’s disaster risk is dominated by hydrological disasters:
- Floods
- Landslides
- Storm-related flooding
- Coastal and riverine regions face repeated losses due to monsoon variability and climate change.
- Global Risk Ranking
- The World Risk Index ranks India second highest in Asia, after the Philippines.
- India’s high ranking reflects:
- Large population exposure
- Persistent structural and socio-economic vulnerabilities
- Regional Comparison
- Philippines & Vietnam: Highly prone to tropical cyclones
- China & Indonesia: Greater exposure to seismic risks
- India: Mixed risk profile with floods, storms, and landslides dominating losses
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Hydrological Disasters: Weather-related events such as floods and landslides.
- World Risk Index: Assesses disaster risk using exposure and vulnerability indicators.
- Exposure: Population and assets located in hazard-prone areas.
- Vulnerability: Includes coping capacity, infrastructure strength, and long-term adaptation.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Recurrent disasters impose a hidden structural tax on economic growth.
- Poor urban planning and ecological degradation aggravate disaster impacts.
- Disaster losses widen regional and social inequalities.
- Data-driven risk assessment is essential for targeted mitigation strategies.
- Way Forward
- Mainstream disaster risk reduction (DRR) into development planning.
- Strengthen disaster risk finance mechanisms, including insurance and contingency funds.
- Improve early warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Align disaster management with climate adaptation policies.
UPSC Relevance:
GS Paper I – Indian Geography
GS Paper III – Disaster Management, Economy