New Delhi: Lightning and heatstroke emerged as the two deadliest natural hazards in India in 2024, together accounting for nearly six out of every 10 deaths caused by natural disasters, according to data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The NCRB’s Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) report shows that 7,903 people died due to natural disasters in 2024.
Lightning was the single biggest killer, responsible for 35.7 per cent of all natural disaster fatalities. Heatstroke and sunstroke followed, accounting for 23.2 per cent of the deaths, underscoring the growing impact of extreme weather events across the country.
Deaths caused by exposure to cold made up 10.5 per cent of the total, while floods accounted for 4.6 per cent and landslides for 4.4 per cent.
The remaining 21.6 per cent of deaths were attributed to a range of other natural disasters, including cyclones, avalanches, forest fires and torrential rain.
The figures highlight that weather-related hazards such as lightning and extreme temperatures continue to claim far more lives than high-profile disasters like floods and landslides.
Experts have increasingly warned that rising temperatures and changing climate patterns are likely to intensify the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, making early warning systems, public awareness campaigns and disaster preparedness critical to reducing fatalities.
Share of deaths due to natural disasters in India (2024)
- Lightning: 35.7%
- Heatstroke/Sunstroke: 23.2%
- Other causes (cyclones, avalanches, forest fires, torrential rain, etc.): 21.6%
- Exposure to cold: 10.5%
- Floods: 4.6%
- Landslides: 4.4%
Source: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) 2024.
