SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Extreme weather killed over half a million people

Weather disasters became worse due to climate change and caused more than 570,000 fatalities over the past 20 years, according to a new study.

» Updated: 31 October 2024, 09:03

» Published: 31 October 2024

Extreme weather killed over half a million people
Photo: Jerome Delay/AP/TT

In May 2008, the tropical cyclone Nargis swept over southern Myanmar and tore entire villages and cities apart. Afterwards, it was established that the storm had claimed at least 138,000 human lives. Both in 2022 and 2023, large parts of Europe were hit by unusually hot summers. In total, 90,000 people succumbed to the heatwaves.

These are some examples of weather disasters that have become more intense and deadly due to climate change, while the risk of them occurring has also increased. This is shown by a new study from the research network World Weather Attribution (WWA), which also lists the ten deadliest cases of extreme weather over the past two decades.

The worst was the drought that affected Somalia's population in 2011, which is estimated to have claimed 258,000 lives in starvation and disease. In this case, climate change contributed to both reduced rainfall and warmer temperatures, causing the catastrophe.

"Climate change is not a distant threat. It exacerbated extreme weather that killed more than 570,000 people. This study should be an eye-opener for politicians who cling to fossil fuels that warm up the planet and destroy people's lives. If we continue to burn oil, gas, and coal, the suffering will continue", says Friederike Otto at WWA.

Cyclone Sidr, Bangladesh, 2007: 4,234 dead

Cyclone Nargis, southern Myanmar, 2008: 138,366 dead

Heatwave in western Russia, 2010: 55,736 dead

Somali drought, 2011: 258,000 dead

Flood in India, 2013: 6,054 dead

Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines, 2013: 7,354 dead

Heatwave in France, 2015: 3,275 dead

Heatwave in western and southern Europe, 2022: 55,542 dead

Heatwave in western and southern Europe, 2023: 37,129 dead

Storm Daniel, Libya, 2023: 12,352 dead

Source: WWA

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly
2 MIN READ

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"
3 MIN READ

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note
1 MIN READ

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice
1 MIN READ

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"
2 MIN READ

The Liberals' office attacked: "Abhorrent"

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö
1 MIN READ

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"
1 MIN READ

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms
1 MIN READ

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant
1 MIN READ

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"
1 MIN READ

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable
1 MIN READ

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.
3 MIN READ

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship
1 MIN READ

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children
1 MIN READ

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm
1 MIN READ

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm

Further No to Offshore Wind Power
1 MIN READ

Further No to Offshore Wind Power

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen
1 MIN READ

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable
2 MIN READ

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.
1 MIN READ

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.

Snow and strong winds – many households without power
2 MIN READ

Snow and strong winds – many households without power