An average of 1671 lives are lost each year due to flood-related fatalities in India.
Flood damages have risen sharply in the last two decades with more frequent floods. Data shows that between 1953 and 2021, around 1.15 lakh people in India lost their lives in flood-related incidents. In 2021, floods affected a record 16.8 million hectares, the second highest after 17.5 million hectares in 1978. The average annual economic loss due to floods reached ₹25,805 crore between 2011 and 2021. Economic Impact Of Flood
Floods claim numerous lives each year, affecting both developed and developing nations. From 1953 to 2021, floods in India caused approximately 1.15 lakh deaths. The highest number of fatalities occurred in 1977, with 11,316 deaths. The annual death toll rose from an average of 440 between 1953-1960 to 2,560 during 1971-80. However, this number gradually declined over the following decades, averaging 1,775 deaths annually between 2011-21. On average, 1,671 people die in floods each year. In 2021, the second-lowest number of deaths occurred, with 1,371 fatalities, following a low of 933 in 2012.
Flood-Affected Areas Reach Record Levels in 2021
India has recorded flood damage data since 1953. The largest flood-affected area occurred in 1978, covering 17.5 million hectares. In 2021, floods affected 16.8 million hectares, the second-highest in history. India has around 40 million hectares vulnerable to floods, with 32 million hectares having some level of protection. Since 1953, around 510 million hectares have been affected by floods. The average annual flood-affected area is 7.4 million hectares, and 2021 saw a significant rise.
Economic Impact Of Floods Continue to Rise
Floods have severe financial consequences. From 1953 to 2021, India’s total flood damage amounted to ₹4.86 lakh crores. Public utilities accounted for 53% of the damage, followed by crops at 32% and houses at 13%. The average annual economic impact of floods increased from ₹60 crores between 1953-1960 to ₹25,805 crores in 2011-21. In 2021, flood damage reached ₹49,617 crores, the second-highest on record after ₹57,291 crores in a single year. Economic Impact Of Flood
Five States Account for 58% of Total Flood Damages
Five states—West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu—account for 58% of total flood-related economic damages from 1953 to 2021. West Bengal suffered the most, with ₹79,086 crores in damages, followed by Andhra Pradesh at ₹71,360 crores and Karnataka at ₹53,640 crores. Public utilities bore the brunt of the damage in Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu, while Karnataka faced a more balanced impact across crops, houses, and utilities. reportsrecords.com
