The Deadliest Natural Disasters of 2020

Around 400 people died in floods and flash floods in Pakistan in 2020. According to Munich Re's 2020 annual report on natural disasters, the devastating events are the deadliest of the past year when not counting the coronavirus pandemic. African countries Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya as well Bangladesh and Afghanistan were also affected by flooding – leading to 281, 257 and 190 deaths, respectively.

2020 was also a record year for North Atlantic storms, with 30 named storms and 13 hurricanes recorded. Hurricane Eta claimed 183 lives on its journey through the Caribbean, the fifth deadliest event of 2020. The total damage inflicted by the North American hurricane season is estimated at around $43 billion - a fifth of the worldwide damage of $210 billion caused by natural disasters in 2020.