Number of deaths caused by natural disasters in China 2013-2023

Due to its geography and various climates, China is exposed to an array of natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, forest fires, and typhoons. In 2023, around 691 people lost their lives due to natural disasters in China. In recent decades, China has experienced some of the most devastating natural calamities worldwide. The Sichuan earthquake in 2008 led to about 84 thousand deaths and a direct economic loss of more than 800 billion yuan.

Geological disasters in China

Geological disasters refer to hazards caused by movements and deformation of the earth's crust, such as such as earthquakes, tsunami, and landslides. The occurrence and frequency of geological disasters in China varies by location and time. The southwest mountainous land area and plateau region experienced a higher number of geological disasters compared to other regions. In 2013, the economic impact of geological disasters in China reached an unprecedented 10.88 billion yuan in direct damage due to severe droughts and earthquakes

Government emergency management

About one-third of Chinese believed that a major disaster could happen in their hometown. Therefore, the Chinese government shifted towards a proactive disaster risk management system. The Chinese government is leveraging new technologies, such as drones, to strengthen the early-warning systems and emergency response scheme.