Tamil Nadu, West Bengal worst-hit by natural disasters

Figures released by the ministry of home affairs show West Bengal and Tamil Nadu together make up for almost 30 per cent of all deaths and 75 per cent of houses destroyed in the country due to natural calamities.

The year 2015 has not been a good one for Tamil Nadu. Even as the state tries to stay afloat after the severe lashing of rains, data from the ministry of home affairs shows that Tamil Nadu has seen a 125 per cent rise in loss of lives in 2015-16 as compared to last year owing to natural calamites. It also saw a 25-fold rise in loss of property.

If the latest toll is added, the cumulative rise in casualties would work out to close to 260 per cent.

Data provided by the ministry of home affairs accessed by Indian Express reveals that 169 people died and over 1 lakh houses were destroyed in 2015 in Tamil Nadu -- up from up from 75 and 3,750 respectively in 2014-15. In 2012-13, the state saw only 15 deaths while nearly 5,000 houses were destroyed owing to natural calamities such as cyclones, landslides, rains, etc.

And Tamil Nadu isn’t alone in facing nature’s wrath. West Bengal has suffered the most. The state saw 169 deaths in 2014-15 owing to natural disasters. However, in 2015-16 (till November 24), the number has increased to 193.

Similarly, over 3,300 houses were destroyed in 2014-15, which increased to a whopping 8.23 lakh in 2015-16.

West Bengal and Tamil Nadu together account for almost 30 per cent of all deaths and 75 per cent of houses destroyed in the country due to natural calamities.

Image: An aerial view of a partially submerged airplane is pictured in a flood affected area in Chennai. Photograph: Press Information Bureau/Reuters