India ranks low in early disaster warning

INDIA is among the top vulnerable countries as Asia remained the world's most disaster-hit region because of weather, climate and water-related hazards in 2023, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) said on Tuesday while highlighting that extreme heat, severe floods, a glacial lake outburst flood devastated parts of India last year claiming around 2,500 lives.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY

The report placed India at below average in the composite category of early warning system. India ranked 14 out of 21 countries' composite scores which calculate based on risk knowledge, observation and forecasting, warning, dissemination and preparedness to respond.

India has performed well on observation and forecasting and preparedness to respond index but zero report on risk knowledge and warning and dissemination.

"We have not done any economic analysis of our loss and damage to come up with any study to project our economic vulnerability," said Dr Sreejith OP of India Meteorological Department and a lead author of India's chapter of WMO report.

According to experts, India assesses its loss and damages based on the aftermath of the event and also based on media reports.