10 Natural Disasters of 2020

The beginning of 2020 was having major hiccups from the forest fire to the most deadly virus ever known to mankind to earthquakes and locust swarms

1. The Australian Bushfire 2019-20

 

Australian bushfire , also known as the "Black Summer", was a period of unusually intense bushfires throughout Australia started in December 2019. The Australian bush fires showed no signs of slowing down or stopping. While most countries were celebrating New Year, Australia was facing one of the biggest natural disasters and several states called for emergency in January. A report published in the Medical Journey of Australia, the Australian bushfire burned an estimated 18.6 million hectares, destroyed over 5,900 buildings, and killed at least 34 people, while over 400 people were killed due to the residual smoke inhalation.

2. COVID-19 Outbreak - Coronavirus

 

First outbreak was identified in December 2019 in the Wuhan City, China and no one realised the significant global and economic impact it would have. On January 11, China recorded it’s first COVID-19 death and on March 11, 2020 the WHO declared coronavirus a pandemic. As of April 2nd, the global coronavirus cases surpassed one million. Till June 2020 we have Coronavirus 9,060,870 Cases out which we have 470,939 deaths  Today, most countries are gingerly stepping out of lockdown and trying to resume life. However, 5 months into 2020, there is still no vaccine or medication for Coronavirus

3. Devastating Floods In Indonesia

 

 
On January 1, 2020 devastating floods destroyed Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta and some neighbouring areas. Over 4 lakh people were forced to flee from their homes. The floods were accompanied by heavy rains lashing the city causing further damage as rivers overflowed and people were submerged in waters that were 5ft in depth. Several locals were victims to drowning or landslides, while others died of electric shocks or landslides. About 66 people lost their lives to this natural disaster of 2020.

4. Locust Attack In East Africa & Parts Of India & Asia

 

 

Millions of desert locusts have swarmed 5 states in India, namely Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and the videos are quite scary. First detected in East Africa and then Pakistan, the deadly locusts do not affect humans but they do cause damage to crops. Swarms Of Locusts Attack 6 Indian States; Delhi & Mathura On HIGH ALERT

This could be one of the worst pest attacks in over 2 decades (26 years). There’s a global locust swarm in existence right now and India could suffer from a brutal wave in the coming months. To give you perspective, Desert Locusts are considered to be the most devastating migratory pests globally and a 1 sq km swarm in 1 day can eat as much food as 35,000 people. Not only do these insects breed rapidly but as many as 150 million locusts can exist in just 1 square kilometre. They feed on any kind of vegetation like crops, fodder and pasture and can destroy crops in seconds.

The sudden increase in locusts has been credited to climate change. The increase in temperature has made it more habitable to the breeding and swarming of locusts. Unusually heavy rains and increased temperatures from 2019 may most likely be the cause of this attack.

5. Cyclone Amphan In India & Bangladesh

 

 

Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan was a powerful and deadly tropical cyclone that caused widespread damage in Eastern India, specifically West Bengal, and also Bangladesh in May 2020. The meteorological department termed the cyclone to be an “extremely severe cyclonic storm” that made landfall in both the states with abundant rains, gust windows and lightning, destroying everything that came in its way, leaving chilling visuals all around. The super cyclone reportedly killed 12 people in Bengal, while power supply and phone networks also took a hit in states. Cyclone Destroys Asia’s Largest Street Book Market

6. Volcano Eruption In The Philippines

 

 

The Taal Volcano is the second most active volcano in the Philippines and it started rumbling on January 12th in Luzon, followed by an eruption and ash dust over 100 km away. It had last erupted 43 years back. The Volcano left huge ash clouds which caused mass evacuations of over 300,000 people. On Feb 13th, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported a total of 2,484 volcano-tectonic earthquakes in the vicinity of the volcano, 176 of which were felt. The Philippines is still reeling from the volcano eruption with a number of countries sending in domestic aid.

7. Earthquakes In Turkey, The Caribbean, China, Iran, Russia, Philippines & India

 

 

On 25 January Turkey was hit by earthquake of magnitude 6.8 in which 31 people died. Across the world there have been so many earthquakes in 2020 that if we sat to categorise each as a natural disaster the list would be long. So far there have been 45 earthquakes characterised over 6 magnitudes. Jamaica and Russia were the worst hit with earthquakes over magnitude 7. The earthquake in Turkey claimed 41 lives.
In May and June India's northern region along with capital New Delhi got hit by multiple tremors.

8. Forest Fires In Uttarakhand, India

 

 

Due to wildfires in Uttarakhand, at least 2 people have reportedly lost their lives , whereas one person was injured. 71 hectares of forest land was affected wildfires, risking the lives of hundreds of species living there. According to the government, this may not be the worst year for wildfires as intermittent rains and high moisture levels have helped in preventing such instances. 

9. Snow In Antarctica Turns Green

 

 

The Antarctic is becoming one of the fastest-warming places on Earth, is seeing so-called snow algae turning the snow green. According to a new research published in the journal Nature Communications, warming temperatures and melting snow in the continent are helping in the formation of algal blooms, which are expanding at a high rate, thereby turning many areas ‘green’. In fact, the phenomenon is becoming so prolific in some places that it is even visible from space.

10. Floods In Assam, India

 

 

Assam flood situation worsens in May 2020 leaving 1 dead and nearly 3 lakh affected in 11 districts. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), a total of 128 villages in eight revenue circles of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Darrang and Goalpara districts were affected. Crops and domestic animals have also been affected by this. Massive erosions have been witnessed at various places.