2020 South Asian floods
 Map of South Asia | |
| Date | May - October 2020 |
|---|---|
| Location | Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka |
| Cause | Heavy monsoon rains |
| Deaths | 6,511 |
| Property damage | $105 billion USD[1][2] |
In 2020, floods severely affected South Asia due to heavy monsoon rains. The floods caused $105 billion USD of damage ($88.5 billion in India,[1] $15 billion in Sri Lanka,[2] and $1.5 billion in Pakistan[2]), making them the costliest floods in modern history, and the ninth costliest disaster of all time. In addition there were 6,511 fatalities, the most reported in a flood since Cyclone Sidr in 2007. Floods continued in 2021 and 2022.
Impact
[edit]Afghanistan
[edit]In April, floods killed at least 11 people and damaged around 700 houses.[3] Between July and August, floods had affected around half of Afghanistan, killing 190 people and damaged around 2,000 homes.[2][4]
Bangladesh
[edit]In May, Cyclone Amphan caused 20 deaths in Bangladesh.[5] In July, floods struck again, affecting 3.3 million people, and killing 260 more people.[2][6][7]
India
[edit]Cyclone Amphan killed at least 86 people in West Bengal, India.[8] From July to October, over 5,000 people died in flooding.[1][2][9]
Nepal
[edit]From June to September, floods in Nepal killed at least 401 people.[2] The Kathmandu Post reported that the floods were some of the worst in the country’s history.[10]
Pakistan
[edit]At least 410 people died in floods in Pakistan. Over 310,000 homes were damaged by flood water, causing $1.5 billion USD of damage.[2]
Sri Lanka
[edit]At least 133 people have died when floods damaged 3 million homes and caused $15 billion USD in damages.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Weather and climate extremes in India killed thousands, displaced millions and cost billions in 2020". World Meteorological Organization. 26 October 2021. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Global Catastrophe Recap December 2020" (PDF). Aon Benfield Analytics. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ Richard Davies. "Afghanistan – Flash Floods Leave 11 Dead, Homes Destroyed".
- ^ Richard Davies. "Afghanistan – Flash Floods Death Toll Rises to 145".
- ^ Zaman, Tauhid; Jessore; Mostafa, Arif; Pirojpur; Sardar, Asaduzzaman; Satkhira; Nasim, Nazmul; Bogra; Dhar, Bijoy; Rangamati (21 May 2020). "Cyclone Amphan weakens as death toll rises to 20". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- ^ Richard Davies. "Bangladesh – 167,000 Families Still Displaced by Floods Says UN".
- ^ Richard Davies. "Bangladesh – Monsoon Floods Affect 3.3 Million".
- ^ "Mamata pegs cyclone Amphan damage at ₹1 lakh crore, toll rises to 86". The Hindu. THG Publishing. 23 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
- ^ "India Floods - Situation report as of 18 August 2020" (PDF). ReliefWeb. 18 August 2020.
- ^ "Despite tackling disasters every monsoon, Nepal fails to learn from experience". The Kathmandu Post.
