Mar 31, 2025

10 Most Shocking Natural Disasters of all Time

Kuhu Verma

Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004)

Caused by a 9.1 earthquake, it took 230,000+ lives across 14 countries.

Source: ap-photo

Uttarakhand Floods (2013)

Triggered by cloudbursts, excessive monsoon rains, flash floods & landslides devastated Kedarnath and other areas, killing over 5,000 people.

Source: pti

Odisha Super Cyclone (1999)

This Category 5 cyclone had winds over 260kmph killing over 10,000 people and displacing million others.

Source: canva

Sichuan Earthquake (2008)

A 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck China taking lives of over 90,000 people and ruining infrastructure.

Source: reuters

Tōhoku Earthquake (2011)

Japan was hit by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, triggering a tsunami that led to the Fukushima nuclear disaster causing long-term nationwide damage.

Source: reuters

Kerala Floods (2018)

Kerala's world flood in history, the unprecedented heavy rainfall took out nearly 500 people.

Source: pti

Hurricane Katrina (2005)

Causing over $125 billion in damages it flooded over 80% of New Orleans causing over 1,800 deaths.

Source: canva

Haiti Earthquake (2010)

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti, killing over 160,000 people, the site struggled due to poor infrastructure.

Source: ap-photo

Turkey-Syria Earthquake (2009)

A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Turkey and Syria, resulting in over 50,000 deaths & the entire city was covered in rubble.

Source: unsplash

Nepal Earthquake (2015)

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people and destroying UNESCO heritage sites in Kathmandu.

Source: ap-photo

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