From mid-June to August 2022, record-breaking rainfall fell over Pakistan culminating in widespread flooding that affected at least 33 million people and which submerged a third of the country. 

In July 2021, weather system ‘Bernd’ caused catastrophic damage and inconceivable human suffering in several European countries. Severe flooding, particularly in Germany, claimed more than 230 lives and left many communities in ruins.

In January 2022, a submarine volcanic eruption triggered a tsunami in the Pacific island state of Tonga. Despite successful disaster preparedness and response measuers, the events demonstrated the compound and cascading risk features of these hazards.

India and Pakistan are experiencing a record-shattering heatwave with temperatures exceeding 45℃ in many areas, leading to critical electricity and water shortages. In addition, the heatwave demonstrates the need for heat action plans.

South Africa experienced catastrophic floods and landslides in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape after exceptionally heavy rainfall. With lives lost, houses and roads destroyed, the cause of the disaster can be linked to climatic change.

Flooding in New South Wales and southeast Queensland has led to lost lives, homes, belongings, pets and livelihoods. This region, particularly Western Sydney, is no stranger to climate-related disasters.

From Haiti to China, a look back at some of the forgotten disasters that struck in 2021.

Tropical Cyclone (TC) Gita formed in early February 2018 and developed into a category 4 cyclone, affecting multiple countries in the Pacific region. Tonga was hardest-hit, incurring severe damage.

A massive landslide devastated the commu­nity of Barangay Guinsaugon, Municipality of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte Province, Philip­pines, at about 10:30 local time on 17 February 2006.

The Nevado del Ruiz Volcanic Eruption, also known as the Armero Tragedy, is considered as Colombia’s worst natural hazard-induced disaster which produced the deadliest lahar ever recorded. After 69 years of dormancy, the stratovolcano in Tolima, Colombia erupted in 13 November 1985 melting the mountain’s glaciers and sending lahars down its slopes at 60 kilometers per hour.