Natural Disasters 2024: Extreme Weather On The Rise

Natural Disasters 2024: Cyclones And Storms

In 2024, the number of tropical cyclones and storms wasn’t unusual. However, what made these natural disasters around the world different in 2024 was how quickly they grew in intensity, bringing enormous amounts of rainfall. This new behavior of storms is increasingly seen as a result of ongoing climate change.

Super Typhoon Yagi (Enteng)

Super typhoon Yagi (called Enteng in the Philippines) struck several countries in Asia, but Vietnam suffered the most damage. It was the second-strongest typhoon in 75 years to hit Haikou in China and the strongest in 70 years to hit Vietnam. The storm caused floods and landslides, damaging key infrastructure like roads and communication networks. Thousands of homes were destroyed and hundreds of people were killed in Vietnam, China, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene formed on September 24, quickly growing into Category 4 and becoming the strongest hurricane to strike the area. It hit Florida’s Big Bend region on September 26. The storm caused severe flooding in North Carolina and East Tennessee, damaging infrastructure and forcing many people to evacuate. Meteorologists believe the 2024 U.S. natural disaster’s severity was due to unusually warm Gulf of Mexico waters, worsened by climate change ^{Ramirez, R. (2024, October 3). Helene was supercharged by ultra-warm water made up to 500 times more likely by global warming, study finds. CNN Climate.}.

Hurricane Milton

Just two weeks after Hurricane Helene, on October 9, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida. The storm brought heavy flooding and storm surges, leaving over 3 million homes and businesses without power and prompting Florida’s largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine)

Tropical storm Trami, called Kristine in the Philippines, hit the country in October. It brought heavy rains, leading to widespread floods and landslides. The storm itself and related 2024 natural disasters in the Philippines affected around 8 million people, displaced 684,900 individuals, and submerged entire neighborhoods ^{Philippines: Severe Tropical Storm Trami (Kristine) - Consolidated Rapid Assessment Report (31 October 2024). (2024, November). United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).}.

Cyclone Chido

In December, Cyclone Chido swept through several African nations, starting with Mayotte on December 14, then hitting Mozambique on December 15, and moving through Malawi before ending near Zimbabwe. The storm impacted over 300 thousand people in northern Mozambique. It devastated agricultural lands, destroying thousands of hectares of growing cassava, maize, beans, and sesame. This extensive damage from the 2024 natural disaster in Africa left local communities struggling with food shortages and limited recovery options.

Cyclone Remal

In May, Cyclone Remal struck the border region between West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh. The storm’s impact was dramatic, causing the evacuation of over 807,000 people in Bangladesh. 2024’s Remal natural disaster ripped through transportation networks and severely damaged infrastructure. Agricultural areas were hit particularly hard, with over 197 thousand acres (80 thousand hectares) of farmland flooded, resulting in significant crop losses and major disruptions to local food systems ^{Bangladesh: Cyclone Remal. International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC).}.

Cyclones Hidaya and Ialy

Unusual tropical storms Hidaya and Ialy hit Kenya and Tanzania in May. These storms were rare for the region and created significant problems. The heavy rainfall and powerful winds damaged many houses, roads, and community spaces, leaving local communities struggling.

Natural Disasters 2024: Floods

Climate change played a big role in making these natural disasters in the world more common in 2024. In warmer temperatures, the atmosphere holds more moisture, which results in more intense rainstorms and higher flood risks worldwide.

Floods In Afghanistan And Pakistan

In April, heavy rainfall led to extensive floods across various provinces in Afghanistan (Baghlan, Badakhshan, Ghor, and Herat) and Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan). In both countries, the 2024 natural disaster displaced thousands of residents and destroyed large areas of farmland. Meteorologists and local authorities grew increasingly concerned as continued rainfall threatened to cause more destruction in areas already weakened by previous floods.

Floods In Spain

A rare atmospheric phenomenon known as a cold drop caused devastating floods in Spain. Lasting from October 29 to November 16, these floods brought extraordinary rainfall, dumping more than a full year’s worth of water in just hours. The Valencia region suffered the most from Spain’s 2024 natural disaster, receiving over 12 inches (300 mm) of rain in just a few hours. Tragically, the flooding claimed at least 224 lives, becoming one of the most tragic natural disasters in Spain’s recent history.

Floods In Brazil

Brazil experienced a devastating flood in late April and May. Starting on April 29, the floods brought extraordinary rainfall, with some areas receiving over 39 inches (1,000 mm) of rain. This became the most severe flooding the country had seen in 80 years ^{Magtulis, P. et al. (2024, May 9). Floods in southern Brazil. Reuters.}. Nearly every municipality in Rio Grande do Sul was impacted — 478 out of 497 regions. The 2024 natural disaster in Brazil destroyed roads, bridges, and homes, and left nearly 700,000 people dealing with the aftermath of this catastrophic event. Brazil already experienced comparable natural disasters in 2023, 2022, and even 2021, with low-income areas bearing the brunt of the damage.

Floods In Hungary

Storm Boris brought devastating floods to Central and Eastern Europe in September, with Budapest experiencing its most severe flooding in over a decade. The Danube River rose to a dangerous 335 inches (850 cm), causing widespread destruction. The 2024 natural disaster claimed at least 24 lives across the region, reminding many of the similarly destructive floods of 2013. Despite the severity, Hungarian officials pointed to improved flood defenses since then as a source of resilience during the crisis.

Natural Disasters 2024: Wildfires

In 2024, wildfires were intense in many regions, with North and South America being particularly hard-hit. Drought and extreme heat fueled their severity. These 2024 natural disasters caused serious damage worldwide, raising concerns about their long-term effects like biodiversity loss and climate changes in affected areas.

Wildfires In Chile

Chile suffered catastrophic wildfires in early February, triggered by days of scorching heat. The fires quickly spread, burning almost 160 thousand acres (64 thousand ha) by February 28. The fires most severely affected the Valparaiso area, destroying over 36 thousand acres (14 thousand ha) there. These were the worst fires Chile had ever seen, causing more damage than any natural calamity since the earthquake and tsunami in 2010 ^{2024 Chile Wildfires. (2024, July 30). The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP).}.

Wildfires In Canada

During the year, Canada experienced one of the most destructive wildfire seasons in recent memory, with fires burning around 13.29 million acres (5.378 million hectares) by November 20. Provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba were heavily affected by the series of 2024 natural disasters of the kind in Canada. The country recorded 5,686 separate wildfires throughout the year. The fires produced massive amounts of smoke that severely worsened air quality in Canada and parts of the United States. Notably, 2024’s wildfire carbon emissions were the second-highest ever recorded.

Wildfires In The USA

In 2024, Nebraska faced a notable surge in wildfire activity, with the highest occurrences recorded in April. Human activities were identified as the cause of approximately 90% of these recent 2024 natural disasters in the USA. The fires were driven by extreme heat and arid conditions. Western Nebraska, especially areas surrounding the Oglala National Grassland, experienced the most significant impact.

Wildfires In Mexico

Severe wildfires hit Baja California in April, burning 193 square miles (500 square kilometers) and destroying 800 homes. Hot, dry conditions fueled the flames, leading to significant carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Experts link the rising number and strength of these natural disasters in Mexico in 2024 and previous years to global warming and changes in local land use ^{CAMS Global wildfires review 2024: a harsh year for the Americas. (2024, December 5). Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS).}.

Wildfires In Croatia

Croatia saw a sharp rise in wildfires in 2024, with a 21% increase from the previous year ^{Micak, V. (2025, 3 January). Croatia records 21% increase in wildfires in 2024. Hrvatska izvjestajna novinska agencija (HINA).}. On August 27, a major fire erupted near Split, sparked by a lightning strike. The blaze quickly spread, burning around 700 hectares of grassland and forest. Thanks to wildfire risk management and effective firefighting measures, the fire was contained before it could reach any residential areas.

Wildfires In The United Arab Emirates

Dubai’s Jebel Ali district witnessed a large urban fire on June 24, breaking out at the Wasl Gate development’s construction site. Despite the fire’s intensity, no injuries were reported. The incident highlighted Dubai’s ongoing challenges with fires in construction zones, where intense heat can quickly dry and ignite building materials.

Natural Disasters 2024: Earthquakes And Landslides

A total of 100 earthquakes above magnitude 6.0 occurred during the year. The most powerful, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake, struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula. This event triggered roughly 930 co-seismic landslides in mountain and coastal areas, underscoring the connection between earthquakes and landslides.

The frequency of earthquake natural disasters was much greater in 2023, a year earlier. The decline is a good omen, even if it’s too early to identify any patterns.

Landslide In Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea’s Enga Province suffered a severe landslide on May 24. This 2024 natural disaster displaced 1,680 individuals, with nearly 4,000 people affected. Ongoing geological instability continues to threaten the region, creating persistent risks for local communities ^{Papua New Guinea: Landslide - May 2024. Reliefweb, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).}.

Earthquake In Japan

Japan experienced substantial seismic disruptions during the year, with notable earthquake activity. The last severe natural disaster of the kind in 2024 happened in November near the Noto Peninsula. This 7.3-magnitude earthquake damaged around 168,822 structures. Subsequent aftershocks, with one reaching 6.4 in magnitude, further challenged emergency management efforts.

Earthquake In Taiwan

On April 3, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake, the strongest since 1999, struck Hualien City. This 2024 natural disaster in Taiwan caused at least 18 deaths and over 1,100 injured ^{Kuo, N. et al. (2024, May 22). Stress Test: the April Earthquake and Taiwan’s Resilience. United States Institute of Peace (USIP).}. Thankfully, Taiwan’s thorough disaster preparedness greatly reduced the damage and loss of life.

Landslide In India

In July, Wayanad, Kerala, was struck by a deadly landslide that claimed 392 lives and ravaged dozens of square kilometers. Thousands were forced from their homes, and critical infrastructure was wiped out as a result of the 2024 natural disaster in India. Heavy monsoon rains, worsened by the effects of deforestation and poor building practices, triggered this natural disaster. The event also highlighted how human-induced climate change is turning extreme rainfall into even more destructive world natural disasters in 2024 ^{Gaffney, A. (2024, August 13). Deadly Landslides in India Made Worse by Climate Change, Study Finds. The New York Times.}.

Mitigate Natural Disasters And Their Aftermath With EOSDA LandViewer

When natural disasters strike, having the right tools can make a big difference. EOSDA LandViewer helps by using satellite images to provide easy-to-read, actionable information. Regardless of how far away, rural, or inaccessible (e.g., due to a natural disaster) a certain area of the globe is, you can swiftly examine it. These remote sensing insights help NGo and nonprofits, researchers, insurers, and disaster management teams spot risks, plan responses, and assess the damage afterward.

Let’s see what exact capabilities EOSDA LandViewer can offer you to reduce the risk of natural disasters and their damage:

• monitor environmental changes over time;
• study how climate change is affecting specific areas;
• conduct ecological research;
• manage essential resources like water and carbon;
• plan safer cities and infrastructure;
• find regions at risk of hazards;
• assess disaster damage;
• improve emergency response plans.

EOSDA LandViewer is simple to use, even for complex tasks. It provides valuable data from many sources to make decisions based on real, reliable, and timely information.

We saw how unpredictable and damaging global natural disasters can be in 2024. Tools like EOSDA LandViewer help us prepare better and act faster, making a real difference when it matters most.