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List of natural disasters by death toll

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of natural disasters by death toll

A natural disaster is a sudden event that causes widespread destruction, major collateral damage, or loss of life, brought about by forces other than the acts of human beings. A natural disaster might be caused by earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruption, landslide, cyclones, etc. To be classified as a disaster, it must have profound environmental effects or loss of life and frequently causes financial loss.

Tables

· Ten deadliest natural disasters by highest estimated death toll excluding epidemics and famines
4,000,000
4,000,000
Death toll (Highest estimate)
4,000,000
Event
1931 China floods
Location
China
Date
July 1931
2,000,000
2,000,000
Death toll (Highest estimate)
2,000,000
Event
1887 Yellow River flood
Location
September 1887
500,000
500,000
Death toll (Highest estimate)
500,000
Event
1970 Bhola cyclone
Location
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Date
November 13, 1970
316,000
316,000
Death toll (Highest estimate)
316,000
Event
2010 Haiti earthquake
Location
Haiti
Date
January 12, 2010
≈300,000
≈300,000
Death toll (Highest estimate)
≈300,000
Event
1976 Tangshan earthquake
Location
China
Date
July 28, 1976
300,000
300,000
Death toll (Highest estimate)
300,000
Event
526 Antioch earthquake
Location
Byzantine Empire (now Hatay/Turkey)
Date
May 526
≈300,000
≈300,000
Death toll (Highest estimate)
≈300,000
Event
1839 Coringa cyclone
Location
Andhra Pradesh, India
Date
November 25, 1839
≈300,000
≈300,000
Death toll (Highest estimate)
≈300,000
Event
1737 Calcutta cyclone
Location
West Bengal and Bangladesh
Date
October 1737
273,407
273,407
Death toll (Highest estimate)
273,407
Event
1920 Haiyuan earthquake
Location
China
Date
December 16, 1920
230,000
230,000
Death toll (Highest estimate)
230,000
Event
1139 Ganja earthquake
Location
Seljuk Empire (present-day Azerbaijan)
Date
September 30, 1139
Death toll (Highest estimate)
Event
Location
Date
4,000,000
1931 China floods
China
July 1931
2,000,000
1887 Yellow River flood
September 1887
500,000
1970 Bhola cyclone
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
November 13, 1970
316,000
2010 Haiti earthquake
Haiti
January 12, 2010
≈300,000
1976 Tangshan earthquake
China
July 28, 1976
300,000
526 Antioch earthquake
Byzantine Empire (now Hatay/Turkey)
May 526
≈300,000
1839 Coringa cyclone
Andhra Pradesh, India
November 25, 1839
≈300,000
1737 Calcutta cyclone
West Bengal and Bangladesh
October 1737
273,407
1920 Haiyuan earthquake
China
December 16, 1920
230,000
1139 Ganja earthquake
Seljuk Empire (present-day Azerbaijan)
September 30, 1139
· Deadliest natural disasters by year excluding epidemics and famines › 20th century
1900
1900
Year
1900
Death tolls
6,000–12,000
Event
1900 Galveston hurricane
Countries affected
United States
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
September 9
1901
1901
Year
1901
Death tolls
9,500
Event
1901 eastern United States heat wave
Countries affected
Heat wave
Type
June–July
1902
1902
Year
1902
Death tolls
29,000
Event
1902 eruption of Mount Pelée
Countries affected
Martinique
Type
Volcanic eruption
Date
April–August
1903
1903
Year
1903
Death tolls
3,500
Event
1903 Manzikert earthquake
Countries affected
Turkey
Type
Earthquake
Date
April 29
1904
1904
Year
1904
Death tolls
400
Event
1904 Sichuan earthquake
Countries affected
China
Type
August 30
1905
1905
Year
1905
Death tolls
20,000+
Event
1905 Kangra earthquake
Countries affected
India
Type
April 4
1906
1906
Year
1906
Death tolls
15,000
Event
1906 Hong Kong typhoon
Countries affected
Hong Kong
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
September 18
1907
1907
Year
1907
Death tolls
12,000–15,000
Event
1907 Qaratog earthquake
Countries affected
Uzbekistan
Type
Earthquake
Date
October 21
1908
1908
Year
1908
Death tolls
75,000–82,000
Event
1908 Messina earthquake
Countries affected
Italy
Type
December 28
1909
1909
Year
1909
Death tolls
6,000–8,000
Event
1909 Borujerd earthquake
Countries affected
Iran
Type
January 23
1910
1910
Year
1910
Death tolls
2,450
Event
1910 Costa Rica earthquakes
Countries affected
Costa Rica
Type
May 4
1911
1911
Year
1911
Death tolls
41,072
Event
1911 France heat wave
Countries affected
France
Type
Heat wave
Date
June–August
1912
1912
Year
1912
Death tolls
50,000–220,000
Event
1912 China typhoon
Countries affected
China
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
August 29
1913
1913
Year
1913
Death tolls
942–1,900
Event
1913 Eshan earthquake
Countries affected
Earthquake
Type
December 21
1914
1914
Year
1914
Death tolls
2,344
Event
1914 Burdur earthquake
Countries affected
Turkey
Type
October 4
1915
1915
Year
1915
Death tolls
29,978-32,610
Event
1915 Avezzano earthquake
Countries affected
Italy
Type
January 13
1916
1916
Year
1916
Death tolls
2,000–10,000
Event
White Friday avalanches
Countries affected
Avalanche
Type
December 13
1917
1917
Year
1917
Death tolls
1,500
Event
1917 Bali earthquake
Countries affected
Indonesia
Type
Earthquake
Date
January 21
1918
1918
Year
1918
Death tolls
1,000
Event
1918 Shantou earthquake
Countries affected
China
Type
February 13
1919
1919
Year
1919
Death tolls
5,000
Event
1919 Kelud mudflow
Countries affected
Indonesia
Type
Volcanic eruption
Date
May 19
1920
1920
Year
1920
Death tolls
258,707–273,407
Event
1920 Haiyuan earthquake
Countries affected
China, Mongolia
Type
Earthquake
Date
December 16
1921
1921
Year
1921
Death tolls
215
Event
September 1921 San Antonio floods
Countries affected
United States
Type
Flood
Date
September 7 –11
1922
1922
Year
1922
Death tolls
50,000–100,000+
Event
1922 Shantou typhoon
Countries affected
Philippines, China
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
July 27 –August 3
1923
1923
Year
1923
Death tolls
105,385-142,800
Event
1923 Great Kantō earthquake
Countries affected
Japan
Type
Earthquake
Date
September 1
1924
1924
Year
1924
Death tolls
1,000
Event
Great flood of 99
Countries affected
India
Type
Flood
Date
July
1925
1925
Year
1925
Death tolls
5,000
Event
1925 Dali earthquake
Countries affected
China
Type
Earthquake
Date
March 16
1926
1926
Year
1926
Death tolls
709
Event
1926 Havana–Bermuda hurricane
Countries affected
Cuba, United States, Bahamas, Bermuda
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
October 14 –28
1927
1927
Year
1927
Death tolls
40,912
Event
1927 Gulang earthquake
Countries affected
China, Tibet
Type
Earthquake
Date
May 22
1928
1928
Year
1928
Death tolls
4,112+
Event
1928 Okeechobee hurricane
Countries affected
United States, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, Bahamas, Dominica,
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
September 12 –21
1929
1929
Year
1929
Death tolls
3,257–3,800
Event
1929 Kopet Dag earthquake
Countries affected
Iran, Turkmenistan
Type
Earthquake
Date
May 1
1930
1930
Year
1930
Death tolls
2,000–8,000
Event
1930 San Zenón hurricane
Countries affected
Dominican Republic
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
September 3
1931
1931
Year
1931
Death tolls
422,499–4,000,000
Event
1931 China floods
Countries affected
China
Type
Flood
Date
July – November
1932
1932
Year
1932
Death tolls
3,103+
Event
1932 Cuba hurricane
Countries affected
Cayman Islands, Cuba
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
November 9
1933
1933
Year
1933
Death tolls
6,865–9,300
Event
1933 Diexi earthquake
Countries affected
China
Type
Earthquake
Date
August 25
1934
1934
Year
1934
Death tolls
10,700–12,000
Event
1934 Nepal–India earthquake
Countries affected
Nepal, India
Type
January 15
1935
1935
Year
1935
Death tolls
145,000
Event
1935 Yangtze flood
Countries affected
China
Type
Flood
Date
July 6
1936
1936
Year
1936
Death tolls
5,000+
Event
1936 North American heat wave
Countries affected
United States, Canada
Type
Heat wave
Date
June – September
1937
1937
Year
1937
Death tolls
11,021
Event
1937 Great Hong Kong typhoon
Countries affected
China
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
September 2
1938
1938
Year
1938
Death tolls
715+
Event
1938 Hanshin flood
Countries affected
Japan
Type
Flood
Date
July
1939
1939
Year
1939
Death tolls
32,700–32,968
Event
1939 Erzincan earthquake
Countries affected
Turkey
Type
Earthquake
Date
December 27
1940
1940
Year
1940
Death tolls
1,000
Event
1940 Vrancea earthquake
Countries affected
Romania
Type
November 10
1941
1941
Year
1941
Death tolls
1,200
Event
1941 Jabal Razih earthquake
Countries affected
Yemen
Type
January 11
1942
1942
Year
1942
Death tolls
61,000
Event
1942 West Bengal cyclone
Countries affected
India
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
October 14 – 18
1943
1943
Year
1943
Death tolls
2,824-5,000
Event
1943 Tosya–Ladik earthquake
Countries affected
Turkey
Type
Earthquake
Date
November 27
1944
1944
Year
1944
Death tolls
10,000
Event
1944 San Juan earthquake
Countries affected
Argentina
Type
January 15
1945
1945
Year
1945
Death tolls
4,000
Event
1945 Balochistan earthquake
Countries affected
Pakistan
Type
November 28
1946
1946
Year
1946
Death tolls
2,550
Event
1946 Dominican Republic earthquake
Countries affected
Dominican Republic
Type
August 4
1947
1947
Year
1947
Death tolls
1,077
Event
Typhoon Kathleen
Countries affected
Japan
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
September 15
1948
1948
Year
1948
Death tolls
10,000–110,000
Event
1948 Ashgabat earthquake
Countries affected
Soviet Union, Iran
Type
Earthquake
Date
October 6
1949
1949
Year
1949
Death tolls
7,200
Event
1949 Khait earthquake
Countries affected
Tajikistan
Type
July 10
1950
1950
Year
1950
Death tolls
4,800
Event
1950 Assam-Tibet earthquake
Countries affected
India, China
Type
August 15
1951
1951
Year
1951
Death tolls
4,800
Event
1951 Manchuria flood
Countries affected
China
Type
Flood
Date
September 18
1952
1952
Year
1952
Death tolls
2,336
Event
1952 Severo-Kurilsk earthquake
Countries affected
Russia
Type
Earthquake
Date
November 4
1953
1953
Year
1953
Death tolls
2,551
Event
North Sea flood of 1953
Countries affected
Netherlands, Belgium, England, Scotland
Type
Flood
Date
January 31–February 1
1954
1954
Year
1954
Death tolls
33,000
Event
1954 Yangtze floods
Countries affected
China
Type
June – September
1955
1955
Year
1955
Death tolls
1,023+
Event
Hurricane Janet
Countries affected
Lesser Antilles, Mexico
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
September 22 – 30
1956
1956
Year
1956
Death tolls
4,935
Event
Typhoon Wanda
Countries affected
China
Type
August 1
1957
1957
Year
1957
Death tolls
1,500
Event
1957 Sangchal earthquake
Countries affected
Iran
Type
Earthquake
Date
July 2
1958
1958
Year
1958
Death tolls
1,269
Event
Typhoon Ida
Countries affected
Japan
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
September 26
1959
1959
Year
1959
Death tolls
5,098
Event
Typhoon Vera
1960
1960
Year
1960
Death tolls
14,174
Event
Severe Cyclonic Storm Ten
Countries affected
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Type
October 31
1961
1961
Year
1961
Death tolls
11,468
Event
Cyclone Winnie
Countries affected
May 6 – 9
1962
1962
Year
1962
Death tolls
50,935
Event
Tropical Storm Harriet
Countries affected
Thailand, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Type
October 19 – 31
1963
1963
Year
1963
Death tolls
22,000
Event
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Two
Countries affected
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Type
May 28
1964
1964
Year
1964
Death tolls
7,000
Event
Tropical Storm Joan
Countries affected
Vietnam
Type
November 4 – 11
1965
1965
Year
1965
Death tolls
47,000
Event
1965 Bengal cyclones
Countries affected
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Type
May 11 – 12 and June 1 – 2
1966
1966
Year
1966
Death tolls
8,064
Event
1966 Xingtai earthquakes
Countries affected
China
Type
Earthquake
Date
March 22
1967
1967
Year
1967
Death tolls
10,000
Event
1967 Paradip cyclone
Countries affected
India
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
October 26
1968
1968
Year
1968
Death tolls
15,000
Event
1968 Dasht-e Bayaz and Ferdows earthquakes
Countries affected
Iran
Type
Earthquake
Date
August 31
1969
1969
Year
1969
Death tolls
3,000
Event
1969 Yangjiang earthquake
Countries affected
China
Type
July 26
1970
1970
Year
1970
Death tolls
300,000-500,000
Event
1970 Bhola cyclone
Countries affected
India, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
November 13
1971
1971
Year
1971
Death tolls
100,000
Event
Hanoi and Red River Delta flood
Countries affected
North Vietnam
Type
Flood
Date
August 1
1972
1972
Year
1972
Death tolls
5,374
Event
1972 Qir earthquake
Countries affected
Iran
Type
Earthquake
Date
April 10
1972
1972
Year
1972
Death tolls
4,000-11,000
Event
1972 Managua earthquake
Countries affected
Nicaragua
Type
December 23
1973
1973
Year
1973
Death tolls
2,175–2,204
Event
1973 Luhuo earthquake
Countries affected
China
Type
February 6
1974
1974
Year
1974
Death tolls
8,210+
Event
Hurricane Fifi–Orlene
Countries affected
Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
September 18 – 20
1975
1975
Year
1975
Death tolls
26,000-240,000
Event
1975 Banqiao Dam Failure disaster triggered by Typhoon Nina
Countries affected
China
Type
August 7
1976
1976
Year
1976
Death tolls
242,419–655,000
Event
1976 Tangshan earthquake
Countries affected
Earthquake
Type
July 28
1977
1977
Year
1977
Death tolls
10,000–50,000
Event
1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone
Countries affected
India
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
November 19
1978
1978
Year
1978
Death tolls
15,000–25,000
Event
1978 Tabas earthquake
Countries affected
Iran
Type
Earthquake
Date
September 16
1979
1979
Year
1979
Death tolls
2,078
Event
Hurricane David
Countries affected
Dominican Republic, Dominica
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
August 15 – September 8
1980
1980
Year
1980
Death tolls
2,633-5,000
Event
1980 El Asnam earthquake
Countries affected
Algeria
Type
Earthquake
Date
October 10
1981
1981
Year
1981
Death tolls
3,000
Event
1981 Golbaf earthquake
Countries affected
Iran
Type
June 11
1982
1982
Year
1982
Death tolls
2,800
Event
1982 North Yemen earthquake
Countries affected
Yemen
Type
December 13
1983
1983
Year
1983
Death tolls
1,342
Event
1983 Erzurum earthquake
Countries affected
Turkey
Type
October 30
1984
1984
Year
1984
Death tolls
1,474
Event
Typhoon Ike
Countries affected
Philippines
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
August 26 – September 6
1985
1985
Year
1985
Death tolls
23,000
Event
Armero tragedy
Countries affected
Colombia
Type
Volcanic eruption
Date
November 13
1986
1986
Year
1986
Death tolls
1,746
Event
Lake Nyos disaster
Countries affected
Cameroon
Type
Limnic eruption
Date
August 21
1987
1987
Year
1987
Death tolls
1,000
Event
1987 Ecuador earthquakes
Countries affected
Ecuador
Type
Earthquake
Date
March 6
1988
1988
Year
1988
Death tolls
25,000-50,000
Event
1988 Armenian earthquake
Countries affected
Armenia
Type
December 7
1989
1989
Year
1989
Death tolls
3,814
Event
1989 Sichuan flood
Countries affected
China
Type
Flood
Date
July 27
1990
1990
Year
1990
Death tolls
35,000-45,000
Event
1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake
Countries affected
Iran
Type
Earthquake
Date
June 21
1991
1991
Year
1991
Death tolls
138,866
Event
1991 Bangladesh cyclone
Countries affected
Bangladesh
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
April 24 – 30
1992
1992
Year
1992
Death tolls
2,500
Event
1992 Flores earthquake and tsunami
Countries affected
Indonesia
Type
Earthquake, Tsunami
Date
December 12
1993
1993
Year
1993
Death tolls
9,748
Event
1993 Latur earthquake
Countries affected
India
Type
Earthquake
Date
September 30
1994
1994
Year
1994
Death tolls
3,063
Event
Typhoon Fred
Countries affected
China, Taiwan
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
August 21
1995
1995
Year
1995
Death tolls
6,434
Event
Great Hanshin earthquake
Countries affected
Japan
Type
Earthquake
Date
January 17
1996
1996
Year
1996
Death tolls
1,077
Event
1996 Andhra Pradesh cyclone
Countries affected
India
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
November 4 – 7
1997
1997
Year
1997
Death tolls
3,123
Event
Tropical Storm Linda
Countries affected
Vietnam, Thailand
Type
Tropical cyclone, Flood
Date
November 1 – 9
1998
1998
Year
1998
Death tolls
11,374
Event
Hurricane Mitch
Countries affected
Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize, Mexico
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
October 22 – November 9
1999
1999
Year
1999
Death tolls
10,000-30,000
Event
Vargas tragedy
Countries affected
Venezuela
Type
Mudslide, Flood
Date
December 14 – 16
2000
2000
Year
2000
Death tolls
700–800
Event
2000 Mozambique flood
Countries affected
Mozambique
Type
Flood
Date
February – March
Year
Death tolls
Event
Countries affected
Type
Date
1900
6,000–12,000
1900 Galveston hurricane
United States
Tropical cyclone
September 9
1901
9,500
1901 eastern United States heat wave
Heat wave
June–July
1902
29,000
1902 eruption of Mount Pelée
Martinique
Volcanic eruption
April–August
1903
3,500
1903 Manzikert earthquake
Turkey
Earthquake
April 29
1904
400
1904 Sichuan earthquake
China
August 30
1905
20,000+
1905 Kangra earthquake
India
April 4
1906
15,000
1906 Hong Kong typhoon
Hong Kong
Tropical cyclone
September 18
1907
12,000–15,000
1907 Qaratog earthquake
Uzbekistan
Earthquake
October 21
1908
75,000–82,000
1908 Messina earthquake
Italy
December 28
1909
6,000–8,000
1909 Borujerd earthquake
Iran
January 23
1910
2,450
1910 Costa Rica earthquakes
Costa Rica
May 4
1911
41,072
1911 France heat wave
France
Heat wave
June–August
1912
50,000–220,000
1912 China typhoon
China
Tropical cyclone
August 29
1913
942–1,900
1913 Eshan earthquake
Earthquake
December 21
1914
2,344
1914 Burdur earthquake
Turkey
October 4
1915
29,978-32,610
1915 Avezzano earthquake
Italy
January 13
1916
2,000–10,000
White Friday avalanches
Avalanche
December 13
1917
1,500
1917 Bali earthquake
Indonesia
Earthquake
January 21
1918
1,000
1918 Shantou earthquake
China
February 13
1919
5,000
1919 Kelud mudflow
Indonesia
Volcanic eruption
May 19
1920
258,707–273,407
1920 Haiyuan earthquake
China, Mongolia
Earthquake
December 16
1921
215
September 1921 San Antonio floods
United States
Flood
September 7 –11
1922
50,000–100,000+
1922 Shantou typhoon
Philippines, China
Tropical cyclone
July 27 –August 3
1923
105,385-142,800
1923 Great Kantō earthquake
Japan
Earthquake
September 1
1924
1,000
Great flood of 99
India
Flood
July
1925
5,000
1925 Dali earthquake
China
Earthquake
March 16
1926
709
1926 Havana–Bermuda hurricane
Cuba, United States, Bahamas, Bermuda
Tropical cyclone
October 14 –28
1927
40,912
1927 Gulang earthquake
China, Tibet
Earthquake
May 22
1928
4,112+
1928 Okeechobee hurricane
United States, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, Bahamas, Dominica,
Tropical cyclone
September 12 –21
1929
3,257–3,800
1929 Kopet Dag earthquake
Iran, Turkmenistan
Earthquake
May 1
1930
2,000–8,000
1930 San Zenón hurricane
Dominican Republic
Tropical cyclone
September 3
1931
422,499–4,000,000
1931 China floods
China
Flood
July – November
1932
3,103+
1932 Cuba hurricane
Cayman Islands, Cuba
Tropical cyclone
November 9
1933
6,865–9,300
1933 Diexi earthquake
China
Earthquake
August 25
1934
10,700–12,000
1934 Nepal–India earthquake
Nepal, India
January 15
1935
145,000
1935 Yangtze flood
China
Flood
July 6
1936
5,000+
1936 North American heat wave
United States, Canada
Heat wave
June – September
1937
11,021
1937 Great Hong Kong typhoon
China
Tropical cyclone
September 2
1938
715+
1938 Hanshin flood
Japan
Flood
July
1939
32,700–32,968
1939 Erzincan earthquake
Turkey
Earthquake
December 27
1940
1,000
1940 Vrancea earthquake
Romania
November 10
1941
1,200
1941 Jabal Razih earthquake
Yemen
January 11
1942
61,000
1942 West Bengal cyclone
India
Tropical cyclone
October 14 – 18
1943
2,824-5,000
1943 Tosya–Ladik earthquake
Turkey
Earthquake
November 27
1944
10,000
1944 San Juan earthquake
Argentina
January 15
1945
4,000
1945 Balochistan earthquake
Pakistan
November 28
1946
2,550
1946 Dominican Republic earthquake
Dominican Republic
August 4
1947
1,077
Typhoon Kathleen
Japan
Tropical cyclone
September 15
1948
10,000–110,000
1948 Ashgabat earthquake
Soviet Union, Iran
Earthquake
October 6
· Deadliest natural disasters by year excluding epidemics and famines › 21st century
2001
2001
Year
2001
Death toll
13,805–20,023
Event
2001 Gujarat earthquake
Countries affected
India
Type
Earthquake
Date
January 26
2002
2002
Year
2002
Death toll
1,200
Event
2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes
Countries affected
Afghanistan
Type
March 25
2003
2003
Year
2003
Death toll
72,000
Event
2003 European heat wave
Countries affected
Europe
Type
Heat wave
Date
July – August
2004
2004
Year
2004
Death toll
227,898
Event
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Countries affected
Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Maldives, Somalia
Type
Earthquake, Tsunami
Date
December 26
2005
2005
Year
2005
Death toll
86,000–87,351
Event
2005 Kashmir earthquake
Countries affected
India, Pakistan
Type
Earthquake
Date
October 8
2006
2006
Year
2006
Death toll
5,749–5,778
Event
2006 Yogyakarta earthquake
Countries affected
Indonesia
Type
May 26
2007
2007
Year
2007
Death toll
15,000
Event
Cyclone Sidr
Countries affected
Bangladesh, India
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
November 11 – 16
2008
2008
Year
2008
Death toll
138,373
Event
Cyclone Nargis
Countries affected
Myanmar
Type
April 27 – May 3
2009
2009
Year
2009
Death toll
1,115
Event
2009 Sumatra earthquakes
Countries affected
Indonesia
Type
Earthquake
Date
September 30
2010
2010
Year
2010
Death toll
100,000–316,000
Event
2010 Haiti earthquake
Countries affected
Haiti
Type
January 12
2011
2011
Year
2011
Death toll
19,749
Event
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Countries affected
Japan
Type
Earthquake, Tsunami
Date
March 11
2012
2012
Year
2012
Death toll
1,901
Event
Typhoon Bopha
Countries affected
Philippines
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
December 4 – 5
2013
2013
Year
2013
Death toll
6,340
Event
Typhoon Haiyan
Countries affected
Philippines, Vietnam, China
Type
November 8 – 10
2014
2014
Year
2014
Death toll
2,700
Event
2014 Badakhshan mudslides
Countries affected
Afghanistan
Type
Landslide
Date
May 2
2015
2015
Year
2015
Death toll
8,964
Event
April 2015 Nepal earthquake
Countries affected
Nepal, India
Type
Earthquake
Date
April 25
2016
2016
Year
2016
Death toll
1,111
Event
2016 Indian heat wave
Countries affected
India
Type
Heat wave
Date
April – May
2017
2017
Year
2017
Death toll
3,059
Event
Hurricane Maria
Countries affected
Puerto Rico, Dominica
Type
Tropical cyclone
Date
September 19 – 21
2018
2018
Year
2018
Death toll
4,340
Event
2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami
Countries affected
Indonesia
Type
Earthquake, Tsunami
Date
September 28
2019
2019
Year
2019
Death toll
3,951+
Event
2019 European heat waves
Countries affected
Europe
Type
Heat wave
Date
June – July
2020
2020
Year
2020
Death toll
6,511
Event
2020 South Asian floods
Countries affected
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Type
Floods
Date
May – October
2021
2021
Year
2021
Death toll
2,248
Event
2021 Haiti earthquake
Countries affected
Haiti
Type
Earthquake
Date
August 14
2022
2022
Year
2022
Death toll
24,501–70,000
Event
2022 European heatwaves
Countries affected
Europe
Type
Heat wave
Date
June 12 – September 12
2023
2023
Year
2023
Death toll
59,259–62,013
Event
2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes
Countries affected
Turkey, Syria
Type
Earthquake
Date
February 6
2024
2024
Year
2024
Death toll
62,700
Event
2024 European heatwaves
Countries affected
Europe
Type
Heat wave
Date
June – August
2025
2025
Year
2025
Death toll
5,456
Event
2025 Myanmar earthquake
Countries affected
Myanmar, Thailand
Type
Earthquake
Date
28 March
Year
Death toll
Event
Countries affected
Type
Date
2001
13,805–20,023
2001 Gujarat earthquake
India
Earthquake
January 26
2002
1,200
2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes
Afghanistan
March 25
2003
72,000
2003 European heat wave
Europe
Heat wave
July – August
2004
227,898
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Maldives, Somalia
Earthquake, Tsunami
December 26
2005
86,000–87,351
2005 Kashmir earthquake
India, Pakistan
Earthquake
October 8
2006
5,749–5,778
2006 Yogyakarta earthquake
Indonesia
May 26
2007
15,000
Cyclone Sidr
Bangladesh, India
Tropical cyclone
November 11 – 16
2008
138,373
Cyclone Nargis
Myanmar
April 27 – May 3
2009
1,115
2009 Sumatra earthquakes
Indonesia
Earthquake
September 30
2010
100,000–316,000
2010 Haiti earthquake
Haiti
January 12
2011
19,749
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Japan
Earthquake, Tsunami
March 11
2012
1,901
Typhoon Bopha
Philippines
Tropical cyclone
December 4 – 5
2013
6,340
Typhoon Haiyan
Philippines, Vietnam, China
November 8 – 10
2014
2,700
2014 Badakhshan mudslides
Afghanistan
Landslide
May 2
2015
8,964
April 2015 Nepal earthquake
Nepal, India
Earthquake
April 25
2016
1,111
2016 Indian heat wave
India
Heat wave
April – May
2017
3,059
Hurricane Maria
Puerto Rico, Dominica
Tropical cyclone
September 19 – 21
2018
4,340
2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami
Indonesia
Earthquake, Tsunami
September 28
2019
3,951+
2019 European heat waves
Europe
Heat wave
June – July
2020
6,511
2020 South Asian floods
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Floods
May – October
2021
2,248
2021 Haiti earthquake
Haiti
Earthquake
August 14
2022
24,501–70,000
2022 European heatwaves
Europe
Heat wave
June 12 – September 12
2023
59,259–62,013
2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes
Turkey, Syria
Earthquake
February 6
2024
62,700
2024 European heatwaves
Europe
Heat wave
June – August
2025
5,456
2025 Myanmar earthquake
Myanmar, Thailand
Earthquake
28 March
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Avalanche and landslides (landslips)
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll (estimate)
100,000
Event
1786 Dadu River landslide dam; triggered by the 1786 Kangding-Luding earthquake
Location
China
Date
1786
1920 Haiyuan landslides; triggered by the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake
1920 Haiyuan landslides; triggered by the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake
Rank
1920 Haiyuan landslides; triggered by the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake
Death toll (estimate)
1920
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll (estimate)
70,000+
Event
Landslides triggered by the 1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake.
Location
1718
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll (estimate)
22,000
Event
1970 Huascarán avalanche; triggered by the 1970 Ancash earthquake
Location
Peru
Date
1970
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll (estimate)
10,000–30,000
Event
Vargas tragedy
Location
Venezuela
Date
1999
10,253
10,253
Rank
10,253
Death toll (estimate)
1815 Singaraja landslide; triggered by 1815 Bali earthquake
Event
Indonesia
Location
1815
10,000
10,000
Rank
10,000
Death toll (estimate)
White Friday avalanches
Event
Italy
Location
1916
8.
8.
Rank
8.
Death toll (estimate)
5,000–28,000
Event
Khait landslide
Location
Tajikistan
Date
1949
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll (estimate)
4,000–6,000
Event
1941 Huaraz avalanche
Location
Peru
Date
1941
4,000
4,000
Rank
4,000
Death toll (estimate)
1962 Huascarán avalanche
Event
1962
Rank
Death toll (estimate)
Event
Location
Date
1.
100,000
1786 Dadu River landslide dam; triggered by the 1786 Kangding-Luding earthquake
China
1786
1920 Haiyuan landslides; triggered by the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake
1920
3.
70,000+
Landslides triggered by the 1718 Tongwei–Gansu earthquake.
1718
4.
22,000
1970 Huascarán avalanche; triggered by the 1970 Ancash earthquake
Peru
1970
5.
10,000–30,000
Vargas tragedy
Venezuela
1999
10,253
1815 Singaraja landslide; triggered by 1815 Bali earthquake
Indonesia
1815
10,000
White Friday avalanches
Italy
1916
8.
5,000–28,000
Khait landslide
Tajikistan
1949
9.
4,000–6,000
1941 Huaraz avalanche
Peru
1941
4,000
1962 Huascarán avalanche
1962
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Disease outbreaks
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll (estimate)
75–200 million
Event
Black Death
Location
Europe, Asia and North Africa
Date
1346–1353
Pathogen − (disease caused)
Yersinia pestis − (Plague)
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll (estimate)
50 million+ (17–100 million)
Event
Spanish flu
Location
Worldwide
Date
1918–1920
Pathogen − (disease caused)
Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 − (Influenza/"the flu")
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll (estimate)
43 million (as of 2024)
Event
HIV/AIDS pandemic
Location
Worldwide
Date
1981–present
Pathogen − (disease caused)
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) − (HIV/AIDS)
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll (estimate)
30–50 million
Event
Plague of Justinian
Location
Europe and West Asia
Date
541–542
Pathogen − (disease caused)
Yersinia pestis − (Plague)
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll (estimate)
7–29 million
Event
COVID-19 pandemic
Location
Worldwide
Date
2019–2023
Pathogen − (disease caused)
SARS-CoV-2 − (COVID-19)
6.
6.
Rank
6.
Death toll (estimate)
12–24 million (Indian Subcontinent and China)
Event
Third plague pandemic
Location
Worldwide
Date
1855–1960
Pathogen − (disease caused)
Yersinia pestis − (Bubonic plague)
7.
7.
Rank
7.
Death toll (estimate)
5–15 million
Event
Cocoliztli Epidemic of 1545–1548
Location
Mexico
Date
1545–1548
Pathogen − (disease caused)
Uncertain. Likely Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica − (Enteric fever) or viral hemorrhagic fever but no consensus.
8.
8.
Rank
8.
Death toll (estimate)
5–10 million
Event
Antonine Plague
Location
Roman Empire
Date
165–180 (possibly up to 190)
Pathogen − (disease caused)
Likely Variola − (Smallpox), possibly alongside Measles morbillivirus − (Measles)
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll (estimate)
5–8 million
Event
1520 Mexico smallpox epidemic
Location
Mexico
Date
1519–1520
Pathogen − (disease caused)
Variola virus − (Smallpox)
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll (estimate)
2.5 million
Event
1918–1922 Russia typhus epidemic
Location
Russia
Date
1918–1922
Pathogen − (disease caused)
Rickettsia prowazekii − (Epidemic typhus)
Rank
Death toll (estimate)
Event
Location
Date
Pathogen − (disease caused)
1.
75–200 million
Black Death
Europe, Asia and North Africa
1346–1353
Yersinia pestis − (Plague)
2.
50 million+ (17–100 million)
Spanish flu
Worldwide
1918–1920
Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 − (Influenza/"the flu")
3.
43 million (as of 2024)
HIV/AIDS pandemic
Worldwide
1981–present
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) − (HIV/AIDS)
4.
30–50 million
Plague of Justinian
Europe and West Asia
541–542
Yersinia pestis − (Plague)
5.
7–29 million
COVID-19 pandemic
Worldwide
2019–2023
SARS-CoV-2 − (COVID-19)
6.
12–24 million (Indian Subcontinent and China)
Third plague pandemic
Worldwide
1855–1960
Yersinia pestis − (Bubonic plague)
7.
5–15 million
Cocoliztli Epidemic of 1545–1548
Mexico
1545–1548
Uncertain. Likely Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica − (Enteric fever) or viral hemorrhagic fever but no consensus.
8.
5–10 million
Antonine Plague
Roman Empire
165–180 (possibly up to 190)
Likely Variola − (Smallpox), possibly alongside Measles morbillivirus − (Measles)
9.
5–8 million
1520 Mexico smallpox epidemic
Mexico
1519–1520
Variola virus − (Smallpox)
10.
million
1918–1922 Russia typhus epidemic
Russia
1918–1922
Rickettsia prowazekii − (Epidemic typhus)
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Earthquakes
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll (estimate)
242,419–655,000
Event
1976 Tangshan earthquake
Location
China
Date
July 28, 1976
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll (estimate)
110,000−316,000
Event
2010 Haiti earthquake
Location
Haiti
Date
January 12, 2010
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll (estimate)
250,000–300,000
Event
526 Antioch earthquake
Location
Byzantine Empire (now Turkey)
Date
May 526
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll (estimate)
273,407
Event
1920 Haiyuan earthquake
Location
Ningxia, Republic of China (now People's Republic of China)
Date
December 16, 1920
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll (estimate)
270,000
Event
1303 Hongdong earthquake
Location
Mongol Empire (now China)
Date
September 17, 1303
6.
6.
Rank
6.
Death toll (estimate)
260,000
Event
115 Antioch earthquake
Location
Roman Empire (now Turkey)
Date
December 13, 115
1139 Ganja earthquake
1139 Ganja earthquake
Rank
1139 Ganja earthquake
Death toll (estimate)
Seljuk Empire (now Azerbaijan)
Event
20 September 1139
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll (estimate)
227,898
Event
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
Location
Indonesia
Date
December 26, 2004
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll (estimate)
200,000
Event
856 Damghan earthquake
Location
Abbasid Caliphate (now Iran)
Date
December 22, 856
Rank
Death toll (estimate)
Event
Location
Date
1.
242,419–655,000
1976 Tangshan earthquake
China
July 28, 1976
2.
110,000−316,000
2010 Haiti earthquake
Haiti
January 12, 2010
3.
250,000–300,000
526 Antioch earthquake
Byzantine Empire (now Turkey)
May 526
4.
273,407
1920 Haiyuan earthquake
Ningxia, Republic of China (now People's Republic of China)
December 16, 1920
5.
270,000
1303 Hongdong earthquake
Mongol Empire (now China)
September 17, 1303
6.
260,000
115 Antioch earthquake
Roman Empire (now Turkey)
December 13, 115
7.
230,000
1138 Aleppo earthquake
Zengid dynasty (now Syria)
October 11, 1138
1139 Ganja earthquake
Seljuk Empire (now Azerbaijan)
20 September 1139
9.
227,898
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
Indonesia
December 26, 2004
10.
200,000
856 Damghan earthquake
Abbasid Caliphate (now Iran)
December 22, 856
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Famines
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll
11,000,000–40,000,000
Event
Great Chinese Famine
Location
China
Date
1959–1961
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll
9,000,000–13,000,000
Event
Northern Chinese Famine of 1876–1879
Location
1876–1879
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll
11,000,000
Event
Chalisa famine
Location
North India
Date
1783–1784
Doji bara famine or Skull famine
Doji bara famine or Skull famine
Rank
Doji bara famine or Skull famine
Death toll
India
Event
1789–1793
6.
6.
Rank
6.
Death toll
10,000,000
Event
Great Bengal famine of 1770, incl. Bihar & Orissa
Location
British company India
Date
1769–1773
7.
7.
Rank
7.
Death toll
7,500,000
Event
Great European Famine
Location
Europe
Date
1315–1317
8.
8.
Rank
8.
Death toll
7,400,000
Event
Deccan famine of 1630–1632
Location
Mughal Empire, now India
Date
1630–1632
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll
5,000,000–8,000,000
Event
Soviet famine of 1930–1933
Location
Soviet Union
Date
1930–1933
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll
8,200,000
Event
Indian Great Famine of 1876–1878
Location
British India
Date
1876–1878
Rank
Death toll
Event
Location
Date
1.
11,000,000–40,000,000
Great Chinese Famine
China
1959–1961
2.
25,000,000
Chinese famine of 1906–1907
Qing dynasty
1906–1907
3.
9,000,000–13,000,000
Northern Chinese Famine of 1876–1879
1876–1879
4.
11,000,000
Chalisa famine
North India
1783–1784
Doji bara famine or Skull famine
India
1789–1793
6.
10,000,000
Great Bengal famine of 1770, incl. Bihar & Orissa
British company India
1769–1773
7.
7,500,000
Great European Famine
Europe
1315–1317
8.
7,400,000
Deccan famine of 1630–1632
Mughal Empire, now India
1630–1632
9.
5,000,000–8,000,000
Soviet famine of 1930–1933
Soviet Union
1930–1933
10.
8,200,000
Indian Great Famine of 1876–1878
British India
1876–1878
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Floods
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll
422,499–4,000,000
Event
1931 China floods
Location
China
Date
1931
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll
930,000–2,000,000
Event
1887 Yellow River (Huang He) flood
Location
1887
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll
230,000
Event
1975 Banqiao Dam failure
Location
1975
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll
145,000
Event
1935 Yangtze flood
Location
1935
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll
100,000+
Event
St. Felix's flood, storm surge
Location
Holy Roman Empire
Date
1530
7.
7.
Rank
7.
Death toll
100,000
Event
1911 Yangtze River flood
Location
China
Date
1911
8.
8.
Rank
8.
Death toll
100,000
Event
The flood of 1099
Location
Netherlands & England
Date
1099
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll
50,000–80,000
Event
St. Lucia's flood, storm surge
Location
Holy Roman Empire
Date
1287
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll
60,000
Event
North Sea flood, storm surge
Location
1212
Rank
Death toll
Event
Location
Date
1.
422,499–4,000,000
1931 China floods
China
1931
2.
930,000–2,000,000
1887 Yellow River (Huang He) flood
1887
3.
230,000
1975 Banqiao Dam failure
1975
4.
145,000
1935 Yangtze flood
1935
5.
100,000+
St. Felix's flood, storm surge
Holy Roman Empire
1530
7.
100,000
1911 Yangtze River flood
China
1911
8.
100,000
The flood of 1099
Netherlands & England
1099
9.
50,000–80,000
St. Lucia's flood, storm surge
Holy Roman Empire
1287
10.
60,000
North Sea flood, storm surge
1212
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Heat waves
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll
72,000
Event
2003 European heatwave
Location
Europe
Date
2003
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll
62,700
Event
2024 European heatwaves
Location
Europe
Date
2024
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll
56,000
Event
2010 Russian heat wave
Location
Russia
Date
2010
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll
24,501-70,000
Event
2022 European heatwaves
Location
Europe
Date
2022
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll
47,000
Event
2023 European heatwaves
Location
Europe
Date
2023
6.
6.
Rank
6.
Death toll
41,072
Event
1911 France heat wave
Location
France
Date
1911
7.
7.
Rank
7.
Death toll
9,500
Event
1901 eastern United States heat wave
Location
United States
Date
1901
8.
8.
Rank
8.
Death toll
4,723+–16,500+
Event
2025 European heatwaves
Location
Europe
Date
2025
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll
5,000–10,000
Event
1988–1990 North American drought
Location
United States
Date
1988
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll
3,951
Event
2019 European heatwaves
Location
Europe
Date
2019
Rank
Death toll
Event
Location
Date
1.
72,000
2003 European heatwave
Europe
2003
2.
62,700
2024 European heatwaves
Europe
2024
3.
56,000
2010 Russian heat wave
Russia
2010
4.
24,501-70,000
2022 European heatwaves
Europe
2022
5.
47,000
2023 European heatwaves
Europe
2023
6.
41,072
1911 France heat wave
France
1911
7.
9,500
1901 eastern United States heat wave
United States
1901
8.
4,723+–16,500+
2025 European heatwaves
Europe
2025
9.
5,000–10,000
1988–1990 North American drought
United States
1988
10.
3,951
2019 European heatwaves
Europe
2019
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Limnic eruptions
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll
1,744
Event
Lake Nyos disaster
Location
Cameroon
Date
August 21, 1986
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll
37
Event
Lake Monoun disaster
Location
August 15, 1984
Rank
Death toll
Event
Location
Date
1.
1,744
Lake Nyos disaster
Cameroon
August 21, 1986
2.
37
Lake Monoun disaster
August 15, 1984
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Tornadoes
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll
1,300
Event
The Daulatpur–Saturia tornado
Location
Manikganj, Bangladesh
Date
1989
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll
751
Event
The 1925 Tri-State tornado
Location
United States (Missouri–Illinois–Indiana)
Date
1925
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll
681
Event
The 1973 Faridpur District tornado
Location
Bangladesh
Date
1973
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll
660
Event
1969 East Pakistan tornado
Location
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Date
1969
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll
600
Event
1996 Bangladesh tornado
Location
Bangladesh
Date
1996
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll
600
Event
The Valletta, Malta tornado
Location
Malta
Date
1551 or 1556
7.
7.
Rank
7.
Death toll
500
Event
The 1851 Sicily tornadoes
Location
Sicily, Two Sicilies (now Italy)
Date
1851
Narail-Magura tornado
Narail-Magura tornado
Rank
Narail-Magura tornado
Death toll
Jessore, East Pakistan, Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Event
1964
Madaripur-Shibchar tornado
Madaripur-Shibchar tornado
Rank
Madaripur-Shibchar tornado
Death toll
Bangladesh
Event
1977
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll
400
Event
The 1984 Soviet Union tornado outbreak
Location
Soviet Union (Volga Federal District, Central Federal District, and Northwestern Federal District in Russia)
Date
1984
Rank
Death toll
Event
Location
Date
1.
1,300
The Daulatpur–Saturia tornado
Manikganj, Bangladesh
1989
2.
751
The 1925 Tri-State tornado
United States (Missouri–Illinois–Indiana)
1925
3.
681
The 1973 Faridpur District tornado
Bangladesh
1973
4.
660
1969 East Pakistan tornado
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
1969
5.
600
1996 Bangladesh tornado
Bangladesh
1996
5.
600
The Valletta, Malta tornado
Malta
1551 or 1556
7.
500
The 1851 Sicily tornadoes
Sicily, Two Sicilies (now Italy)
1851
Narail-Magura tornado
Jessore, East Pakistan, Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
1964
Madaripur-Shibchar tornado
Bangladesh
1977
10.
400
The 1984 Soviet Union tornado outbreak
Soviet Union (Volga Federal District, Central Federal District, and Northwestern Federal District in Russia)
1984
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Tropical cyclones
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll
500,000+
Event
1970 Bhola cyclone
Location
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
Date
November 13, 1970
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll
300,000
Event
1839 Coringa cyclone
Location
British India (now India and Bangladesh)
Date
November 25, 1839
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll
300,000+
Event
1737 Calcutta cyclone
Location
October 11, 1737
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll
229,000
Event
Super Typhoon Nina—contributed to Banqiao Dam failure
Location
China
Date
August 7, 1975
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll
200,000
Event
Great Backerganj Cyclone of 1876
Location
British Raj (now Bangladesh)
Date
October 31, 1876
6.
6.
Rank
6.
Death toll
138,866
Event
1991 Bangladesh cyclone
Location
Bangladesh
Date
April 29, 1991
7.
7.
Rank
7.
Death toll
138,373
Event
Cyclone Nargis
Location
Myanmar
Date
May 2, 2008
8.
8.
Rank
8.
Death toll
100,000
Event
July 1780 typhoon
Location
Philippines
Date
1780
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll
60,000+
Event
1864 Calcutta cyclone
Location
India and Bangladesh
Date
October 5, 1864
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll
50,000-220,000
Event
1912 China typhoon
Location
China
Date
August 29, 1912
Rank
Death toll
Event
Location
Date
1.
500,000+
1970 Bhola cyclone
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)
November 13, 1970
2.
300,000
1839 Coringa cyclone
British India (now India and Bangladesh)
November 25, 1839
3.
300,000+
1737 Calcutta cyclone
October 11, 1737
4.
229,000
Super Typhoon Nina—contributed to Banqiao Dam failure
China
August 7, 1975
5.
200,000
Great Backerganj Cyclone of 1876
British Raj (now Bangladesh)
October 31, 1876
6.
138,866
1991 Bangladesh cyclone
Bangladesh
April 29, 1991
7.
138,373
Cyclone Nargis
Myanmar
May 2, 2008
8.
100,000
July 1780 typhoon
Philippines
1780
9.
60,000+
1864 Calcutta cyclone
India and Bangladesh
October 5, 1864
10.
50,000-220,000
1912 China typhoon
China
August 29, 1912
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Tsunamis
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll
227,898
Event
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Location
Indian Ocean
Date
December 26, 2004
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll
~80,000
Event
1908 Messina earthquake
Location
Italy
Date
December 28, 1908
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll
36,417
Event
1883 eruption of Krakatoa
Location
Indonesia
Date
August 27, 1883
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll
40,000–50,000
Event
1755 Lisbon earthquake
Location
Portugal
Date
November 1, 1755
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll
30,000–100,000
Event
Minoan eruption
Location
Greece
Date
2nd Millennium BC
6.
6.
Rank
6.
Death toll
31,000
Event
1498 Meiō earthquake
Location
Japan
Date
September 20, 1498
7.
7.
Rank
7.
Death toll
30,000
Event
1707 Hōei earthquake
Location
October 28, 1707
8.
8.
Rank
8.
Death toll
27,122
Event
1896 Sanriku earthquake
Location
June 15, 1896
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll
25,674
Event
1868 Arica earthquake
Location
Chile
Date
August 13, 1868
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll
5,700–50,000
Event
365 Crete earthquake
Location
Greece
Date
July 21, 365
Rank
Death toll
Event
Location
Date
1.
227,898
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Indian Ocean
December 26, 2004
2.
~80,000
1908 Messina earthquake
Italy
December 28, 1908
3.
36,417
1883 eruption of Krakatoa
Indonesia
August 27, 1883
4.
40,000–50,000
1755 Lisbon earthquake
Portugal
November 1, 1755
5.
30,000–100,000
Minoan eruption
Greece
2nd Millennium BC
6.
31,000
1498 Meiō earthquake
Japan
September 20, 1498
7.
30,000
1707 Hōei earthquake
October 28, 1707
8.
27,122
1896 Sanriku earthquake
June 15, 1896
9.
25,674
1868 Arica earthquake
Chile
August 13, 1868
10.
5,700–50,000
365 Crete earthquake
Greece
July 21, 365
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Volcanic eruptions
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll
71,000+
Event
1815 eruption of Mount Tambora (see also Year Without a Summer)
Location
Indonesia
Date
April 10, 1815
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll
36,000+
Event
1883 eruption of Krakatoa
Location
August 27, 1883
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll
30,000
Event
1902 eruption of Mount Pelée
Location
Martinique
Date
May 7, 1902
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll
23,000
Event
Armero tragedy
Location
Colombia
Date
November 13, 1985
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll
15,000
Event
1792 Unzen earthquake and tsunami
Location
Japan
Date
May 21, 1792
6.
6.
Rank
6.
Death toll
13,000
Event
Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD
Location
Italy
Date
79
7.
7.
Rank
7.
Death toll
10,000+
Event
1586 Kelud eruption
Location
Indonesia
Date
1586
8.
8.
Rank
8.
Death toll
6,000
Event
1902 Santa Maria eruption
Location
Guatemala
Date
October 24, 1902
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll
5,000
Event
1919 Kelud mudflow
Location
Indonesia
Date
May 19, 1919
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll
4,011
Event
1822 Galunggung eruption
Location
1822
Rank
Death toll
Event
Location
Date
1.
71,000+
1815 eruption of Mount Tambora (see also Year Without a Summer)
Indonesia
April 10, 1815
2.
36,000+
1883 eruption of Krakatoa
August 27, 1883
3.
30,000
1902 eruption of Mount Pelée
Martinique
May 7, 1902
4.
23,000
Armero tragedy
Colombia
November 13, 1985
5.
15,000
1792 Unzen earthquake and tsunami
Japan
May 21, 1792
6.
13,000
Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD
Italy
79
7.
10,000+
1586 Kelud eruption
Indonesia
1586
8.
6,000
1902 Santa Maria eruption
Guatemala
October 24, 1902
9.
5,000
1919 Kelud mudflow
Indonesia
May 19, 1919
10.
4,011
1822 Galunggung eruption
1822
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Wildfires
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll
1,200–2,500
Event
Peshtigo fire
Location
Wisconsin, United States
Date
October 8, 1871
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll
1,000+
Event
Kursha-2 fire
Location
Soviet Union
Date
August 3, 1936
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll
453
Event
Cloquet fire
Location
Minnesota, United States
Date
October 12, 1918
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll
418–476
Event
Great Hinckley Fire
Location
September 1, 1894
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll
282
Event
Thumb Fire
Location
Michigan, United States
Date
September 5, 1881
6.
6.
Rank
6.
Death toll
240
Event
1997 Indonesian forest fires
Location
Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia
Date
September 1997
7.
7.
Rank
7.
Death toll
160–300
Event
1825 Miramichi fire
Location
Canada
Date
October 7, 1825
8.
8.
Rank
8.
Death toll
223
Event
Matheson Fire
Location
Ontario, Canada
Date
July 29, 1916
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll
211
Event
1987 Black Dragon fire
Location
China and Soviet Union
Date
May 1, 1987
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll
173
Event
Black Saturday bushfires
Location
Australia
Date
February 7, 2009
Rank
Death toll
Event
Location
Date
1.
1,200–2,500
Peshtigo fire
Wisconsin, United States
October 8, 1871
2.
1,000+
Kursha-2 fire
Soviet Union
August 3, 1936
3.
453
Cloquet fire
Minnesota, United States
October 12, 1918
4.
418–476
Great Hinckley Fire
September 1, 1894
5.
282
Thumb Fire
Michigan, United States
September 5, 1881
6.
240
1997 Indonesian forest fires
Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia
September 1997
7.
160–300
1825 Miramichi fire
Canada
October 7, 1825
8.
223
Matheson Fire
Ontario, Canada
July 29, 1916
9.
211
1987 Black Dragon fire
China and Soviet Union
May 1, 1987
10.
173
Black Saturday bushfires
Australia
February 7, 2009
· Lists of deadliest natural disasters by cause › Winter storms
1.
1.
Rank
1.
Death toll (estimate)
4,000
Event
1972 Iran blizzard
Location
Iran
Date
1972
2.
2.
Rank
2.
Death toll (estimate)
3,000
Event
Carolean Death March
Location
Norway
Date
1719
3.
3.
Rank
3.
Death toll (estimate)
926
Event
2008 Afghanistan blizzard
Location
Afghanistan
Date
2008
4.
4.
Rank
4.
Death toll (estimate)
400
Event
Great Blizzard of 1888
Location
United States
Date
1888
5.
5.
Rank
5.
Death toll (estimate)
353
Event
Great Appalachian Storm of 1950
Location
1950
6.
6.
Rank
6.
Death toll (estimate)
318
Event
1993 Storm of the Century
Location
1993
7.
7.
Rank
7.
Death toll (estimate)
299–978
Event
2021 North American winter storm
Location
United States and Mexico
Date
2021
8.
8.
Rank
8.
Death toll (estimate)
286
Event
December 1960 nor'easter
Location
United States
Date
1960
9.
9.
Rank
9.
Death toll (estimate)
250
Event
Great Lakes Storm of 1913
Location
United States and Canada (Great Lakes region)
Date
1913
10.
10.
Rank
10.
Death toll (estimate)
235
Event
Schoolhouse Blizzard
Location
United States
Date
1888
Rank
Death toll (estimate)
Event
Location
Date
1.
4,000
1972 Iran blizzard
Iran
1972
2.
3,000
Carolean Death March
Norway
1719
3.
926
2008 Afghanistan blizzard
Afghanistan
2008
4.
400
Great Blizzard of 1888
United States
1888
5.
353
Great Appalachian Storm of 1950
1950
6.
318
1993 Storm of the Century
1993
7.
299–978
2021 North American winter storm
United States and Mexico
2021
8.
286
December 1960 nor'easter
United States
1960
9.
250
Great Lakes Storm of 1913
United States and Canada (Great Lakes region)
1913
10.
235
Schoolhouse Blizzard
United States
1888

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