Extreme weather events continue to take a heavy toll on India. In 2022, severe floods displaced millions of people and caused billions of dollars in property damage. Heatwaves have become more frequent and intense, leading to increased mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations.
India has emerged as one of the countries most severely impacted by extreme weather events, according to the Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025, published by Germanwatch. Ranked 10th on the index, India faces mounting challenges due to climate-induced disasters such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts. The CRI report underscores India’s vulnerability and highlights the urgent need for enhanced climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
The long-term assessment of the CRI 2025, covering data from 1993 to 2022, places India as the sixth most affected country globally due to extreme weather events. Over this period, India reported a staggering loss of 80,000 lives and economic damages amounting to $200 billion. The primary causes of these losses include catastrophic floods, devastating cyclones, and deadly heatwaves. The data highlights India’s susceptibility to climate change-related disasters, exacerbated by its diverse geography, high population density, and economic constraints.
Yet, despite its long-term vulnerability, India’s ranking for recent extreme weather events has improved. In 2019, the country was the seventh worst-affected globally, but by 2022, its position improved to 49th. This positive shift reflects India’s growing investments in disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure. However, challenges remain, particularly in safeguarding rural and economically disadvantaged communities from future climate shocks.
The report says, “India shows high absolute fatalities and economic losses, as well as a high absolute and relative numbers of people affected. The country has faced a variety of increasingly frequent extreme weather events, including floods, heat waves, cyclones, and drought.”
It adds, “floods and landslides resulting from heavy monsoon displaced millions and damaged agriculture. And cyclones devastated coastal areas, underscoring India’s diverse climate risks.”
Economic Implications of Climate Change
The economic consequences of extreme weather events in India are profound. Between 1993 and 2022, the country suffered losses totaling $200 billion. These economic damages stem from the destruction of critical infrastructure, disruption of agriculture, and increased healthcare costs due to climate-induced illnesses and fatalities. The CRI 2025 emphasizes the urgent need for substantial investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable development practices to mitigate these losses and ensure economic stability.
The Indian government has undertaken several initiatives to combat climate change. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) is a significant policy framework that outlines eight key missions focusing on renewable energy, enhanced energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture. Additionally, India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement target a reduction in emissions intensity by 33–35% from 2005 levels by 2030. These commitments reflect India’s proactive stance in addressing climate challenges, but the CRI 2025 recommends more ambitious goals for absolute emissions reduction.
India has made commendable progress in renewable energy, particularly in solar power deployment. The launch of the Rooftop Solar Scheme aims to promote decentralized solar energy generation, enhancing energy security and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. However, the CRI 2025 points out that India’s dependence on coal remains a major barrier to achieving significant emission reductions. Experts emphasize the need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy while ensuring a just transition for communities dependent on coal-based industries.
Challenges and Future Risks
Despite progress, India faces persistent challenges in mitigating climate change. The country’s geographical diversity, spanning from the Himalayas to its vast coastline, makes it particularly susceptible to varied climate risks. Flooding in low-lying areas, desertification in arid regions, and glacial melting in the Himalayas pose significant threats. The CRI 2025 stresses the importance of region-specific adaptation strategies to address these localized challenges effectively. Additionally, comprehensive data collection and research are needed to enhance climate risk assessment and policy planning.
Extreme weather events continue to take a heavy toll on India. In 2022, severe floods displaced millions of people and caused billions of dollars in property damage. Heatwaves have become more frequent and intense, leading to increased mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations. The CRI 2025 warns that as global temperatures continue to rise, the frequency and severity of these disasters will likely increase, necessitating urgent and sustained climate action.
India’s climate adaptation efforts include investments in flood defences, drought-resistant crops, and disaster preparedness initiatives. However, the scale of these measures needs to be expanded significantly. The CRI 2025 highlights the importance of integrating climate resilience into urban planning, improving water management systems, and strengthening social protection mechanisms for climate-affected communities. These steps are critical in reducing India’s vulnerability to future climate shocks.
International Cooperation
Arguing that climate change is a global crisis that requires collective action, the report’s author emphasise that India cannot tackle its climate challenges alone and that international cooperation is essential in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and providing financial and technological support to developing nations.
The Paris Agreement, signed by 195 countries, aims to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. India, as a signatory, has committed to significant emission reductions. However, the CRI 2025 urges India to strengthen its commitments and align its policies with more ambitious climate targets.
India is one of the most affected countries by extreme weather events, and its vulnerability to climate change remains a pressing concern. While the government has taken commendable steps in climate adaptation and renewable energy expansion, more needs to be done. Strengthening climate policies, investing in sustainable infrastructure, and enhancing international collaboration are crucial to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.
The CRI 2025 emphasizes that while the challenges posed by climate change are significant, they can be overcome with decisive action and global cooperation. India’s future resilience depends on its ability to adapt, innovate, and work collectively with the global community to combat climate change effectively.
