Year Ender: Major Disasters In India In 2024

In 2024, India faced a series of devastating disasters, highlighting the fragility of infrastructure, climate resilience, and public safety measures. From infrastructure collapses and severe heatwaves to tragic incidents such as train collisions, militant attacks, and catastrophic floods, the year underscored the urgent need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and response strategies.

The year witnessed a severe heat wave causing 360 deaths and affecting 40,000 people with heatstroke. Among the deceased were 33 election workers. Odisha reported 147 deaths, while Rajasthan had 12 fatalities. This extreme weather event underscored the need for better heat management strategies.

On 25 May, a fire broke out at Rajkot's TRP Game Zone due to welding work. The blaze spread rapidly because of stored fuel for generators and go-kart racing. With only one exit on the first floor, it was challenging to control the fire, endangering around 70 to 80 people present at the time.

Train Collisions and Attacks

In West Bengal's Darjeeling district, two trains collided on 17 June near Rangapani railway station. A goods train hit the Sealdah–Agartala Kanchanjunga Express passenger train, killing 11 people and injuring over 60 others. This accident raised concerns about railway safety measures.

The Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir experienced a militant attack on 9 June. Gunmen targeted a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims from Shiv Khori cave to Katra, causing it to crash into a gorge. The attackers continued firing at the wreckage, resulting in nine deaths and injuring 41 individuals.

Alcohol Poisoning and Crowd Crush

Tamil Nadu faced a tragic alcohol poisoning incident on 20 June in Kallakurichi district. Illegally brewed liquor led to at least 65 deaths and more than 200 injuries. This event highlighted the dangers of consuming unregulated alcohol products.

A crowd crush occurred on 2 July in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, during a satsang organised by a self-proclaimed godman in Mughal Garhi village. With permission for only 80,000 attendees, approximately 250,000 people arrived. The chaos resulted in the deaths of 121 individuals and hospitalised at least 150 others.

Landslides and Floods

The Wayanad district in Kerala experienced devastating landslides on 30 July due to heavy rains. Villages like Punjirimattom and Mundakkai were severely affected as hillsides collapsed onto them. Over 420 people died, with deforestation and poor construction practices cited as contributing factors.

Vijayawada city in Andhra Pradesh suffered severe flooding starting from August's end into early September. Heavy rainfall overwhelmed local rivers causing significant damage to infrastructure and homes while affecting around 270,000 residents. At least 35 lives were lost due to these floods.

Bihar witnessed the Jivitputrika tragedy on September's end when torrential rains caused rivers to overflow across multiple districts during festivities leading up to drownings of at least forty-six individuals—mostly children—in various water bodies throughout fifteen districts within Bihar state alone.

On October's eleventh day near Chennai city within Tamil Nadu state boundaries lay another train collision involving Bagmati Express colliding against stationary goods train stationed nearby Kavaraipettai railway station; thirteen coaches derailed injuring nineteen passengers onboard this unfortunate journey marking yet another disaster-filled year for India overall.