10 Natural Disasters That Happened In 2022

10 Natural Disasters That Happened In 2022

Human history is peppered with tales and records of natural disasters. From the wrath of the elements to geological upheavals, people have witnessed the destructive power of nature time and again. The world was reminded of the power of Mother Nature severally in 2022, with events that shook our planet to the core. Unfortunately, the aftermath of these events had to be dealt with by communities. The disasters have left scars perhaps to remind us of the raw power of nature. The 10 most significant natural disasters that occurred in 2022 are the subject of this article. Humanity has developed a deeper appreciation for the power of nature from the lessons learned from these disasters. The lessons also reinforce the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.

Related Read: 15 Facts about Natural Disasters.

1. Petropolis Landslides, Rio de Janeiro (February 2022)

Marinha do Brasil, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Petropolis is a  city in Brazil and as it expanded, more buildings were constructed on the mountainsides. The need for shelter led to deforestation in the surrounding areas.  A series of severe landslides came knocking on February 15, 2022. The disaster resulted in the loss of several lives (over 200* people died). Roads, bridges and buildings were destroyed by moving earth. Saturated soils plus more rain equalled unstable ground.

The weatherman recorded more than 400mm of rain in three days. Quitandinha, Mosela and Independencia neighbourhoods were affected by the landslides. Their steep slopes are particularly vulnerable to landslides during heavy rainfall. The government-led emergency and rescue efforts evacuated the affected residents.

2. Tornadoes in the United States (March 2022)

Image by Qamar Iqbal from Pixabay

Life and property are always threatened by tornadoes in the United States. During this month, several powerful tornadoes tore through various regions, causing widespread devastation and displacing numerous families. In the month of March 2022, There were 234 tornadoes confirmed in the United States. This set a new monthly record for March, surpassing the previous record of 194 tornadoes set in 2017. High temperatures and humidity, combined with a change in wind direction and speed gave the storm the impetus to turn into a tornado. The extent of the destruction served as a harsh reminder of the unpredictable nature of these meteorological phenomena. Disaster preparedness strategies minimize loss and suffering as the frequency and intensity of tornadoes continue to rise.

3. Earthquake in Afghanistan (May 2022)

Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A powerful earthquake tore through Afghanistan in May 2022, causing widespread damage and claiming many lives. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). There were 1,160* deaths and many were injured in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Khost was the epicentre. while the hypocentre was 6.2 miles underground. Earthquakes originate from deeper recesses are felt widely but their impact is usually localized. The hardest-hit areas were the communities of Gayan, Nika, Barmal and Zirok in Paktika province. In Afghanistan, Pakistan and India more than 119 million people across a 310-mile area felt the tremors. The earthquake triggered massive casualties, with over 1000 deaths and 1500 people left injured. In addition, 70% of the houses in the region were damaged. The earthquake has exposed the existential problems of the country and the health-care system broadly to the world.

4. Heat Waves across Europe (June –July 2022)

Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2022, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO, via Wikimedia Commons

Europe was hot in the summer of 2022! and the heat was spread all over Europe. Deaths of thousands of people due to the stifling heat were highest in mid-June and mid-July. Besides, the condition also led to huge damage to agriculture and the functioning of power plants and hydropower generators. That saw persistent heatwaves across Europe, causing evacuations and over 20,000 heat-related deaths, making these heat waves the deadliest meteorological events of 2022. By the summer of 2035, the 2022 heatwave average temperatures are predicted to become the “norm.” Multiple heatwaves around the world felled temperature records and fueled wildfires in the summer of 2022.

5. Floods in India (July -August 2022)

Indian Navy, GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons

The deadliest weather disasters for direct deaths in 2022 were monsoon floods in India and Pakistan, which killed 2,047 and 1,735 people, respectively. Many parts of India flooded in August 2022, because of heavy rainfall. People were displaced in their millions. Landslides and mudslides washed countless homes away. Flash floods replaced dryland as a result of the heavy rainfall. The floods also caused significant damage to infrastructure and crops, affecting the economy of the affected regions. Floods in India are becoming commonplace in recent years. More and more India is experiencing an increase in flood frequency and severity. The government collaborates with communities to minimise the impact of floods.

Related Read: 10 of the Deadliest Disasters that Happened in India.

6. Wildfires in California (2022)

United States Forest Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

California experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons on record in September 2022. 5,000 fires burning across California during that month. Many Californians lost of life, property and infrastructure was damaged. Year-on-year analysis California and other regions of the western United States are recording more cases of wildfires annually. 2020 was historic for California and Oregon. The spread and damage of the fires were epic.

Is climate change to blame? The wildfire trifecta in this state was high temperatures, drought, and reduced precipitation in the area. California implemented better forest management practices, improved infrastructure, and leveraged technology to improve early detection and response. Fortunately, a combination of well-timed precipitation and favourable wind conditions helped California avoid more catastrophic wildfires in 2022.

7. Cyclone Jawad, Bangladesh (November 2022)

SSEC/CIMSS, University of Wisconsin–Madison (Attribution or Attribution), via Wikimedia Commons

Cyclone Jawad, a powerful storm that emerged in early 2022, left a trail of destruction across several parts of South Asia. The cyclone brought heavy rains, and strong winds collected from the Bay of Bengal. Millions of people in the region became primary victims of the resultant flooding. The local authorities and international aid organizations made diligent efforts to minimize the damage. The storm surge and flooding hit agriculture hard, with crops and livestock being destroyed. 1.5 million people according to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society estimates were victims of the floods. With encounters like Cyclone Jawad becoming more frequent due to climate change, it is crucial for nations to unite and prepare for such events in order to safeguard their citizens and economies from the devastating consequences.

8. Hurricane Grace, Mexico (August 2022)

Mexico was the site for Category 3 Hurricane Grace’s landfall in 2022. Heavy rainfall and strong winds, and widespread damage were experienced in the areas the storm visited. Flooding, power outages, and fallen trees it was disruption everywhere! And there were reports of significant damage to homes and infrastructure in some regions. The Mexican government and local communities’ response efforts were stellar. The government also mobilized resources to clear debris and restore essential services such as electricity and water supply. The Mexican government’s response to Hurricane Grace was commendable. It highlighted the importance of investing in disaster preparedness and response initiatives.

15 Scary Things to Know about Hurricanes.

9. Floods in Nigeria (September 2022)

Hansel ohioma, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Floods left a trail of destruction in their wake hit Nigeria in September 2022. Prolonged rainfall led to rivers overflowing their banks and flash floods in low-lying areas. Coastal areas were worst hit especially the Niger Delta region, which is prone to flooding due to its geography. Data from the Federal Government draws a grim picture where 1.4 million people were displaced, 603 people were killed and 2,400 persons were injured by the floods.

The floods had a significant impact on agriculture, with many crops destroyed and livestock swept away. The economic situation was dire and led to food shortages and high commodity prices. Through this Emergency Appeal, the IFRC supported the Nigeria Red Cross Society to reach 500,000 affected people with multi-purpose cash assistance, health services, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support, and emergency shelter assistance.

10. Drought in the Horn of Africa

FEWS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Horn of Africa experienced the longest and most severe drought on record in 2022. Threatening millions of people with starvation. 21 million people across the region were food insecure due to the drought. More than 3 million people faced emergency levels of food insecurity in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. The drought has forced over 1.3 million people to abandon their farms and migrate to alternative areas in Somalia. A combination of global warming, Indian Ocean sea surface temperatures, and La Nina has contributed to four dry rainy seasons in a row. Meteorologists’ Precipitation records indicate a 70-year low in the annual downpour. The drought has left the larger East Africa in a perched state surpassing the horrific drought of 2010/11 and 2016/17.

10 Deadly Natural Disasters that Happened in the UK.

The natural disasters discussed above were some of the worst to hit the world in 2022. Preparedness and response planning are important in the face of such events. Nature cannot be controlled but steps can be taken to minimize its impact on communities. 2022 was a year of intense natural disasters that reminded us of the power and unpredictability of nature. From devastating wildfires and heatwaves to deadly floods and hurricanes, the world faced numerous challenges that tested our resilience and adaptability.