A disaster is a sudden, catastrophic event that severely impacts the functioning of humanity and society, causing human, physical, economic and environmental losses. Disasters are caused by natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, volcanic eruptions, etc. In addition, they are often caused by man-made disasters such as technological and industrial accidents, and terrorism. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was launched in 1989, following a call by the United Nations General Assembly to promote a culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. October 13 was officially observed as World Disaster Risk Reduction Day in 2009.
Around the world, people around the world are taking part in various events to raise awareness of how communities are reducing their vulnerability to disasters and the importance of the risks they face. The theme of the 2025 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is “Resilience, not Disasters”. This theme emphasizes the shift from capital to proactive, long-term disaster risk reduction strategies. The aim is to ensure that both the public and private sectors invest in resilience-building measures to prevent and reduce the increasing economic costs of disasters.
The effects of natural disasters can affect the economic stability of a region or country in the long term. Damage to infrastructure and energy production facilities can lead to negative impacts on a country’s economic development. On average, 60,000 people die each year due to natural disasters worldwide. Between 1970 and 2019, weather, climate, and water-related disasters caused a total of more than 2 million deaths. Disasters in 2022 included the Southern Cone heat wave, the Iraqi dust storms, the Marmolada Serac collapse, the Mongolian wildfires, and the 2022–23 European windstorm.
Two major earthquakes that struck southeastern Turkey and northern Syria in early February 2023 were among the most devastating disasters. The first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8, followed a few hours later by a magnitude of 7.5, plus several aftershocks. The year 2024 saw a record number of severe weather events. According to the World Meteorological Organization, more than 150 “unprecedented” weather disasters occurred worldwide. The most devastating was the earthquake (magnitude 7.9) that struck along the Sagaing Fault near Mandalay on March 28, 2025. It resulted in more than 5,300 deaths and injured more than 11,000. The Cebu earthquake in the Philippines on September 30, 2025 (magnitude 6.9) killed 75 people and injured more than a thousand. As of 2025, the average annual global economic loss from disasters was over $2.3 trillion, far exceeding the direct, insured losses often cited.
Disasters in India
India has witnessed lot of disasters continuously. In 2022, including the Amarnath floods, India-Bangladesh floods, and the Surat gas leak. Since May 2022, severe floods have hit northeastern India and Bangladesh. More than 9 million people have been affected in both countries. Nearly 300 people have died. According to a report by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, severe cyclones in 2021. 4.9 million people were displaced due to floods. A total of 2,002 people lost their lives due to cyclones, heavy rains, floods, and landslides during 2020-21. In 2023, one of the worst disasters occurred in Sikkim (October), when the South Lonak Lake overflowed its banks after heavy rains.
This resulted in flash floods that destroyed a hydroelectric dam, washed away bridges, and severely damaged infrastructure. Also, disasters in 2023 caused over half a million internal displacements in India due to floods, cyclones, and landslides. In 2024, the Wayanad landslide in Kerala (July) killed over 420 people. Similarly, heavy rains caused floods in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, and severe disasters also occurred in 2025. For example, in February 2025, an avalanche buried a work camp in Uttarakhand (Mana, Chamoli district), killing 8 workers.
Heavy monsoon rains caused devastating floods in Punjab in August: over 1,400 villages and large areas of farmland were submerged, over 3.5 million people were affected, and over 55 deaths were confirmed. Climate-related economic losses are estimated to exceed $56 billion between 2019 and 2023. Another report by Swiss Re highlighted economic losses of $12 billion in 2023 alone, and uninsured losses of $32.94 billion over a five-year period.
country’s governance structure can contribute to economic and social development, and the implementation of public policies, while achieving sustainable livelihoods and reducing vulnerability to disasters. Accountability, participation, efficiency, accountability, and transparency are key features of governance structures that promote development and reduce the risk of disasters. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) emphasizes the shared responsibility of states, local governments, and the private sector.
The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) framework promotes a “culture of prevention” by integrating risk management into sustainable development policies. Global agreements such as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) recognize climate change as a significant driver of disaster risk. National disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies are increasingly being integrated with climate change adaptation CCA plans to build long-term resilience. Strategies should address the risks posed by floods, storms, infectious diseases, climate-related events, and environmental degradation, rather than simply addressing single hazards.
Good national and local strategies for disaster risk reduction should be multi-sectoral, linking land use, building codes, public health, education, agriculture, environmental protection, energy, water resources, and poverty reduction policies. It is time to make strategies more resilient for future generations. Mass awareness campaigns can bring about a change in public attitudes towards disaster management. Only then will the goal of this day be fulfilled.
