5 major natural disasters that took place in 2020

Covid Pandemic

Though the coronavirus outbreak occurred in the last quarter of 2019, the pandemic played havoc across the world in 2020. The virus was first discovered in China's Wuhan and later gripped the world forcing the world to impose strict lockdown to contain the virus. Many countries and organisations blamed China for the existence of the virus, but nothing conclusive could be established over Beijing's involvement in the pandemic.


Locust Swarms

Another major natural catastrophe was the locust attack that is believed to have damaged millions of acres of standing crops across the continents in Asia and Africa. Believed to be migratory pests, who feed on crops, locusts can destroy the crops within seconds. Changes in climate conditions and frequent cyclones in the Indian Ocean are said to produce perfect breeding grounds for the locusts.



Cyclone Amphan

Classified as one of the most powerful and deadly tropical cyclones to have affected India and Bangladesh, Amphan, categorised as a type 5 hurricane, wreaked widespread devastation in the two countries. At least 84 people were killed and millions of people in India and Bangladesh bore the brunt of the cyclone's fury. In fact, many people were killed, when they were crushed by falling trees and electrocuted by downed powerlines.



Indonesian Floods

early 66 people were killed when there was a heavy downpour in the early hours of January in 2020, leading to subsequent flooding in the Indonesian capital Jakarta and its surrounding areas. The flash floods displaced four lakh people (400,000). There was widespread material destruction caused by landslides due to heavy rains and flooding



Volcanic Eruption In Philippines

The Taal Volcano that erupted on January 12, 2020, caused tremors, and resulted in a large amount of ash and dust. The eruption caused the death of at least 39 people. Reports suggested that a number of evacuees had died due to heart attack during the evacuation. The eruption also forced nearly 8,000 people to leave their homes.

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