Extreme weather events in 2025 inflicted over $122 billion in global losses, with India's and Pakistan's torrential monsoons causing the highest fatalities at nearly 1,860 lives and $5.6 billion in damages.This Christian Aid report highlights escalating climate vulnerabilities, urging alignment with the Sendai Framework for better disaster risk reduction.
Key Data Points
Top 10 events included California wildfires ($60 billion, 400+ deaths), Southeast Asia cyclones/floods ($25 billion, 1,750+ deaths), and China floods ($11.7 billion, 30+ deaths).India faced extremes on 331 of 334 days (Jan-Nov), with 4,419 deaths, 17.4 million hectares of crops lost, and 181,459 houses destroyed.These insured-loss figures likely underestimate true costs, especially in poorer nations.
Civil Services Relevance
UPSC aspirants must link this to GS Paper III (Environment, Disaster Management) and GS Paper II (Governance, International Relations).Data like India's 99% extreme weather days underscores monsoon intensification (108% of LPA rainfall), tying into climate change syllabi on vulnerability, adaptation, and frameworks like Sendai (four priorities: risk understanding, governance, investment, preparedness).
Why Crucial
These events reveal India's disproportionate burden despite low emissions, demanding resilient urban planning and NDMA strengthening.For civil servants, it stresses policy integration—e.g., early warnings, risk-informed development to meet SDGs and Sendai targets like reducing deaths and infrastructure damage by 2030.Ignoring this risks economic fragility and livelihood losses, vital for aspirants analyzing India's NDC updates.
Prelims Question
Q: According to the Christian Aid 'Counting the Cost 2025' report, which event ranked highest in fatalities among the top 10 costliest climate disasters?
Options:
(a) California wildfires
(b) India-Pakistan monsoons
(c) China floods
(d) Southeast Asia cyclones
Answer: (b) Torrential rains in India and Pakistan claimed 1,860 lives, topping the list despite $5.6 billion losses (5th rank).[1]
Mains Question
Q: The 2025 extreme weather events, costing $122 billion globally and devastating India-Pakistan, underscore urgent climate adaptation needs. Discuss India's challenges and measures aligned with the Sendai Framework. (250 words)
Model Answer:
Introduction: Christian Aid's report notes $122 billion losses from 10 events, with India-Pakistan monsoons killing 1,860 ($5.6 billion).[1] India saw extremes on 331/334 days, 4,419 deaths.
Body: Challenges include unplanned urbanization, glacial melt, and weak early warnings; NW India hit hardest (1,459 deaths).Sendai priorities: (1) Risk understanding via IMD data; Governance through NDMA; Resilience investment (e.g., NDRF); Preparedness like 'Build Back Better'. India's NAPCC, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure align, but gaps in local strategies persist.
Conclusion: Urgent scaling of community resilience, climate finance, and Paris NDCs essential for SDGs.(248 words)