New Delhi, May 13 – India experienced a staggering 5.4 million internal displacements in 2024 due to floods, storms, and other natural disasters, marking the highest figure in 12 years, according to a report released Tuesday by the Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).
Floods Account for Two-Thirds of Displacements
The report highlights that floods were the primary driver, causing nearly two-thirds of all internal movements nationwide. Assam bore the brunt with 2.5 million displacements following the most severe flooding the state has seen in over a decade.Contributing factors identified include climate change, deforestation, erosion, and poor maintenance of dams and embankments, all of which have heightened vulnerability to extreme weather events.
Cyclones Trigger Mass Evacuations
Storms and cyclones were responsible for 1.6 million displacements nationwide. Cyclone Dana alone accounted for over a million displacements after forming in the Bay of Bengal in late October. It affected large parts of Odisha and West Bengal, leading to widespread pre-emptive evacuations coordinated by state authorities.West Bengal also experienced 2,08,000 displacements due to Cyclone Remal, which landed on May 24, 2024. As the cyclone progressed northward, it caused the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries overflowed, leading to an additional 3,38,000 displacements in Assam.
Tripura Hit by Worst Monsoon in Four Decades
Tripura faced its worst monsoon season in more than 40 years. In mid-August, heavy rainfall triggered over 2,000 landslides, blocking roads and severely disrupting aid delivery. These events resulted in 3,15,000 displacements, making it one of the most significant internal movement events caused by landslides on record.Decline in Conflict-Related Displacements
On the conflict front, India saw 1,700 displacements linked to violence in 2024 — a notable decrease from 2023, when communal unrest, particularly in Manipur, had escalated. However, fresh violence in Manipur, including house burnings, still led to about 1,000 displacements this year.Urgent Need for Risk Mitigation
The report underscores the urgency of addressing environmental degradation and enhancing disaster preparedness. Improved infrastructure maintenance, reforestation, and climate-resilient planning are key to reducing future displacement risks.As India grapples with the compounded impact of climate and conflict-driven displacements, the need for proactive mitigation and adaptive measures has never been more pressing.