Madhya Pradesh worst hit as India faces extreme weather on 322 days in 2024

India faced extreme weather on 322 out of 366 days in 2024, marking the worst year yet. This is an increase from 318 days in 2023 and 314 days in 2022, showing a worsening trend. Nearly 88% of the year saw extreme weather events, affecting millions, according to the interactive atlas managed by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Madhya Pradesh was the worst-hit state, experiencing 185 extreme weather days, the highest in India. The central region, including Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, bore the brunt of these climate disasters, suffering significant crop damage and fatalities.

According to Dr. Praveen Kumar, a scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Madhya Pradesh’s vulnerability to extreme weather is due to its geographical position. He explains:

"Madhya Pradesh's climate is shaped by its geography. Although primarily a plain region, the state's extensive north-south stretch exposes it to diverse weather systems."

These factors make the state highly susceptible to climate change, leading to more frequent and severe weather events.

Extreme weather deaths in India rose to 3,472 in 2024, compared to 3,287 in 2023 and 3,026 in 2022—a 15% increase over three years.

Farmers suffered heavy losses, with 4.07 million hectares of crops damaged in 2024—an 84% increase from 2023 and 108% from 2022. The central region suffered the most, accounting for 2.36 million hectares of crop loss, 58% of India’s total agricultural damage.

Maharashtra lost 2.03 million hectares of farmland. The state saw 161 extreme weather days in 2024, up from 126 in 2022, contributing to the agricultural devastation.

MP faced 185 extreme weather days in 2024

Madhya Pradesh, the most affected state, experienced 185 extreme weather days in 2024. Over the past five years, Madhya Pradesh has steadily risen in hydro-meteorological disaster-related fatalities. Between 2018 and 2024, the state averaged 266 deaths yearly from disasters like tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, floods and drought. 

• In 2024, Madhya Pradesh reported 353 deaths due to extreme weather events. Over 25,170 hectares of agricultural land were damaged, 7,278 houses destroyed, and 61 animals lost.

• In 2023, the state saw 253 fatalities, with 45,000 hectares of crops affected, 2,626 houses damaged, and 376 animal deaths. 

• In 2022, there were 301 deaths, 6,646 homes impacted, and 997 livestock deaths due to similar extreme weather events. 

• In 2021: The death toll fell to 191, but significant flooding caused extensive damage to homes and agricultural infrastructure.

• In 2020: during the COVID-19 lockdown, Madhya Pradesh recorded 89 deaths due to extreme weather events

• In 2019: Madhya Pradesh witnessed 674 deaths, 1,888 animal fatalities, and Rs 12,000 crore in damages due to heavy rains and floods. Over 1.18 lakh buildings were damaged, and 60.47 lakh hectares of farmland affected.

Madhya Pradesh is prone to floods, droughts, and heatwaves, and their frequency is rising.

Why is MP suffering most?

Dr. Kumar discusses the increasing climate variability in Madhya Pradesh, stating:

"Over the past 10-15 years, extreme weather events in Madhya Pradesh have risen considerably. While climate variability is natural, the state has seen an increase in intense events like floods, lightning, and cyclones. The southward shift of the monsoon trough has intensified rainfall, leading to more extreme downpours."

The central region recorded the highest number of deaths at 1,052, followed by the Southern Peninsula (871 deaths), East and Northeast (776 deaths), and Northwest (773 deaths).

Madhya Pradesh’s 185 extreme weather days and Maharashtra’s 161 days reflect the worsening crisis in central India. The region saw 253 days of extreme weather in 2024—16% higher than in 2022.

India among most climate-affected countries

According to the Climate Risk Index 2025, India ranks 6th among the world’s 10 most climate disaster-prone countries (1993–2022). In the past three decades, over 80,000 people in India have died due to climate-related disasters, affecting millions yearly.

The report states that, on average, 4.66 crore people in India are impacted by extreme weather annually. This means 409 people per lakh are affected by disasters like floods, heatwaves, cyclones, and erratic rainfall.

India has faced devastating climate disasters, including

• Gujarat Cyclone (1998)

• Odisha Cyclone (1999)

• Cyclone Hudhud (2014)

• Cyclone Amphan (2020)

• Uttarakhand Floods (2013)

Heatwaves have intensified, with temperatures hitting 50°C in 1998, 2002, 2003, and 2015, causing thousands of deaths.

Climate-related disasters have severely impacted India’s economy over the past three decades. Between 1993 and 2022, they caused financial losses exceeding $180 billion, with an annual economic burden of over $20 billion—equivalent to 0.31% of India’s GDP.

The Climate Risk Index 2025 reveals India accounted for 10% of global climate disaster deaths in the last 30 years and suffered 4.3% of the world’s economic losses from extreme weather events.

The crisis continues to escalate, with 2024 declared India’s hottest year on record. Scientists warn that without immediate climate action, extreme weather will worsen, threatening millions of lives and livelihoods.

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