How many people died due to climate disasters in 2024?

Climate change devastated 2024, with over 2,000 lives lost and $228 billion in economic losses globally. Catastrophic events like hurricanes, floods, typhoons, and heatwaves impacted wealthy and low-income nations. Vulnerable communities bore the brunt of these disasters, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.

Climate disasters worsened in 2024

A report titled "Counting the Cost 2024: A Year of Climate Breakdown" by Christian Aid reveals that no region was spared from catastrophic events. North America and Europe reported seven of the ten costliest disasters, while Southeast Asia, China, and Brazil witnessed significant human and financial impacts. The data highlights the growing severity of climate-induced disasters as global temperatures rise.

The report emphasises the burden on low-income nations, where vulnerable populations face limited resources and inadequate infrastructure. “Those living in poverty are hit hardest as they have fewer assets, less insurance, and poor access to public services,” noted the report. This inequity underscores the urgent need for global climate action.

Despite the financial costs, the report suggests the actual figures are likely higher due to the focus on insured losses. Disasters like the Wayanad landslides in Kerala, India, which killed over 200 people, were excluded from the costliest disasters list despite their impact.

From U.S. hurricanes to Southeast Asia typhoons and Saudi Arabia heatwaves, the year’s deadliest disasters provide a grim warning. Here are the top 10 deadliest climate disasters of 2024, showcasing the human toll of a warming planet.

10 of the Deadliest Natural Disasters in 2024

1. Heatwave During Hajj Pilgrimage (Saudi Arabia)

A record-breaking heatwave during the Hajj pilgrimage in June claimed at least 1,300 lives. Temperatures soared to 125°F, and unregistered pilgrims, often without access to air-conditioned shelters, were the worst affected. Thousands more suffered from heatstroke, highlighting the urgent need for adaptive measures in high-risk areas.

2. Landslide in Papua New Guinea

In May, a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea buried entire communities, killing at least 670 people. Triggered by heavy rains, the disaster displaced thousands and served as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by island nations grappling with climate change.

3. Typhoon Yagi (Southeast Asia)

This super typhoon caused over 500 deaths across Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and the Philippines in early September. Landslides and flooding destroyed homes, farmlands, and infrastructure worth $12.6 billion, leaving millions displaced and in dire need of aid.

4. Landslides in Ethiopia

Heavy rains in southern Ethiopia in July led to devastating landslides, claiming at least 250 lives. Rescue efforts were hampered by subsequent landslides, which buried those trying to help. The disaster underscored the need for better preparedness in rain-prone regions.

5. Hurricane Helene (Southeastern U.S.)

This deadly Category 4 hurricane swept across the Southeastern U.S. in September, killing 225 people and causing $55 billion in damages. North Carolina was hardest hit, with widespread destruction making it the deadliest U.S. storm since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

6. Heavy Flooding in Spain

October’s catastrophic floods in Spain, particularly in Valencia, killed 224 people, most of them elderly. The disaster also highlighted gaps in local disaster management systems, with residents criticizing authorities for inadequate preparation and response.

7. Earthquake in Japan

On New Year’s Day, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s western coast, killing 213 people and destroying nearly 2,000 homes. The quake caused widespread displacement, with thousands left to endure harsh winter conditions in evacuation centers.

8. Flooding and Landslides in Nepal

Late September rains triggered devastating floods and landslides in Nepal, killing 192 people. The Kathmandu Valley was particularly hard hit, with infrastructure damage and displacement affecting hundreds of thousands.

9. Wildfires in Chile

Chile faced its deadliest wildfire in history in February, which claimed at least 136 lives. The fires ravaged the Valparaíso region, destroying homes and agricultural lands and leaving lasting scars on communities.

10. Tropical Storm Trami (Philippines)

Known locally as Tropical Storm Kristine, Trami caused massive flooding and landslides in the Philippines in late October. The storm killed 141 people, with some areas receiving two months’ worth of rainfall in just 24 hours.

“These climate disasters remind us of the escalating climate change risks,” said Patrick Watt, CEO of Christian Aid. “To prevent further loss of life and destruction, the world must accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and prioritize adaptation measures, especially in vulnerable regions.”

These disasters highlight the urgent need for global cooperation to mitigate climate risks and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.

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