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In the year 2023, the country was gripped by a series of extreme weather events that spanned 235 out of the 273 days from January 1 to September 30. These catastrophic events took a heavy toll, claiming the lives of 2,923 people and wreaking havoc on 1.78 million hectares of crop area.
The devastation was widespread. Homes were destroyed, with the count reaching 80.6 thousand. The animal kingdom was not spared either, with the death toll rising to 92.5 thousand.
The extreme weather manifested in various forms. Lightning and storms led the charge, striking on 177 days. This was followed by heavy rains, floods, and landslides that disrupted life for 132 days. The country also experienced a heatwave for 49 days and endured cold weather for 21 days.
Each day brought with it a new challenge, a new battle against the forces of nature. But amidst the destruction and despair, the resilience of the people shone through, their spirit unbroken in the face of adversity.
During this period, cyclones and floods damaged over 80.6 thousand houses, as stated by him. He also mentioned that the country has taken various steps to minimize the damage caused by natural disasters. The Minister informed the Upper House that the Centre has already established an early warning system, which has significantly enhanced the accuracy of weather forecasts.
State-wise Data
| State | Human lives lost (No.) | Cattle lost (No.) | Houses/huts damaged (No.) | Crops area affected (in ha.) |
| Bihar | 642 | -- | -- | -- |
| Himachal Pradesh | 365 | 246 | 1169 | -- |
| Uttar Pradesh | 341 | 4654 | 20541 | 1,33,129 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 249 | 2914 | 6208 | -- |
| Maharashtra | 173 | 539 | 4910 | 10,396 |
| Gujarat | 148 | 119 | 210 | -- |
| Chhattisgarh | 115 | 10444 | 1142 | 25,530 |
| Uttarakhand | 104 | -- | -- | -- |
| Rajasthan | 80 | 1513 | 2729 | 28,386 |
| Punjab | 79 | 2958 | 4183 | 2,06,990 |
| Odisha | 61 | 997 | 6493 | -- |
| Kerala | 60 | 441 | 835 | -- |
| Tamil Nadu | 56 | 130 | 525 | -- |
| Assam | 51 | -- | 1945 | -- |
| Haryana | 48 | -- | 6024 | -- |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 45 | 27 | 1876 | 82 |
| Meghalaya | 5 | 14 | 55 | 1.54 |
| Sikkim | 05 | 185 | 460 | 138 |
| Nagaland | 04 | 01 | 1322 | 24 |
| Delhi | 04 | 10 | 09 | -- |
| 358 | 105 | -- | ||
| Dadar & Nagar Haveli | 03 | -- | -- | -- |
| J & K | 02 | -- | 10 | -- |
| Puducherry | 01 | -- | 10 | -- |
| Goa | -- | -- | 214 | -- |
| Mizoram | -- | -- | 03 | -- |
| -- | 08 | 158 | -- | |
| Total | 1,224 | 25,558 | 61,136 | 4,04,676.54 |
Measures reduce disaster impact, climate change
The Minister highlighted that the government has taken various measures to minimize the impact of natural disasters. An early warning system has been established, significantly enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasts.
These efforts, combined with disaster management practices, preparedness, prevention, and response mechanisms, have led to a reduction in casualties during natural calamities.
India, like many other countries, has witnessed a rise in adverse weather events in recent years, attributed to the effects of climate change. The El Nino phenomenon influenced adverse weather conditions this year, causing fluctuations in the monsoon pattern over the Indian subcontinent.
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