According to the Union Home Ministry , nearly 6,800 people lost their lives in the country over the past three years due to hydro-meteorological calamities such as flash floods, landslips and cyclones.
India recorded 6,808 deaths (2,400 in 2018-19, 2,422 in 2019-20 and 1,986 in 2020-21). West Bengal recorded 964 deaths (383 in 2018-19, 227 in 2019-20 and 354 in 2020-21), which amounts to 14% of deaths due to hydro meteorological calamities.
West Bengal has recorded the highest deaths among all States. Madhya Pradesh recorded 833 deaths, followed by Kerala 708 in the same period.
What are hydro-meteorological calamities?
According to the Home Ministry, hydro-meteorological calamities and hazards include flash floods, cloudburst and landslips.
Over the past three years, West Bengal had braved four tropical cyclones — Fani (May 2019), Bulbul (November 2019), Amphan (May 2020) and Yaas (May 2021).
The damage caused by cyclone Yaas, which made a landfall in north Odisha in May 2021, was more to West Bengal than in Odisha.
(Source: The Hindu)
