5 Worst Natural Disasters in 2014

Earthquake, flood and landslide were among the worst natural disasters to hit the world in 2014. Here’s a look at a few of the natural disasters as covered by Disaster report that caused major damage to lives and properties in 2014.

Earthquake – China

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake in Ludian county in southwest China's Yunnan province had claimed lives of  617 people and injured at least 2400 others in August.

It was the strongest earthquake to hit Yunnan in 14 years. The Ludian earthquake 2014 was the result of a strike-slip fault, whose fault plane has a southwest-northeast strike.

Floods – Jammu and Kashmir

Floods and landslides in Pakistan, and the Indian-administered and Pakistan-administered parts of Kashmir had claimed lives of at least 557 people in September. The regions of Jammu and Kashmir in India and Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab in Pakistan were worst affected by the floods.

The natural disaster claimed lives of 277 people in India and 280 people in Pakistan. Government has disbursed Rs 149 crore for Jammu and Kashmir flood relief and rehabilitation till first week of December 2014.

Landslide – Nepal

Landslide at Mankha VDC in Sindhupalchok district of Nepal had claimed lives of 156 people in August. The Bihar government had also issued flood alert in Supaul, Saharsa, Purnea and Madhepura districts along the Koshi region in India following the landslide in Jure of Ramche VDC, Sindhupalchowk district of Nepal.

The landslide near Jure Bazaar had completely stopped the flow of the nearby river causing risk of flooding around 20 KM near by area.

Landslides –India

Landslide in Malin village of Pune, India had claimed lives of more than 100 people in August. Heavy rainfall triggered landslide in the area.

The Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) had notified Malin village as ecologically sensitive and recommended a no-development policy in November 2013. But the warning was ignored by local and state authorities.

Landslides – Japan

Landslides in Hiroshima, Japan claimed lives of 74 people in August. Heavy rainfall triggered landslides in the area. Asakita-ku was the hardest-hit ward with 217.5 millimetres within three hours.

Floods, landslides – Burundi

Flooding and landslides in Burundi had claimed lives of at least 60 people in February. Flooding and landslides had caused huge damage in capital Bujumbura and neighboring provinces of Cibitoke and Bubanza.

Floods, Landslides – Colombia

Floods and landslides in Colombia had claimed lives of at least 38 people and left 18,000 homeless in November. Worst damages were reported in Antioquia, Valle de Cauca, and Cauca states of Colombia.

The National Disaster Risk Management Unit had spent $1.5 million till November in emergency kits for more than 9,000 families affected by flooding and landslides.

Flash Flood – Morocco

Flash flooding in Morocco had claimed lives of more than 30 people in Morocco in November. Morocco flood had mostly affected the Guelmim, Agadir, Tiznite, Ouarzazate and Marrakesh region.

Government needs over 103 million dollars to repair flood damaged roads in Morocco, Minister of Equipment, Transport and Logistics, Aziz Rebbah had mentioned.

Other Natural Disasters

Other major natural disasters that Disaster Report covered in 2014 include:

Flooding in Odisha, India

Blizzards and avalanches in Western Nepal

Landslide in Badulla, Sri Lanka

Mount Sinabung volcano eruption in Indonesia

Mudslides in Catamarca, Argentina

Emergency after floods and landslides in Bolivia

Heavy rain and flooding in Sudan

Landslide in Jombang, Indonesia

The natural disaster map 2014 is also available (click here to get access). The map shows the occurrences of major natural disasters including earthquake, floods, Tsunami, wildfire, tornado, hurricane etc.

Related Post: Countrywise Natural Disaster Data