5 Most Prone Countries For Natural Disasters, Indonesia Is In Second Place

The condition of residents' houses after being hit by flash floods in Kota Lintang Village, Kuala Simpang City, Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh/ (ANTARA/Syifa Yulinnas/bar)

YOGYAKARTA - The most prone country to natural disasters is generally in areas with high tectonic activity or areas that often experience extreme weather. This vulnerability is not only caused by geographical location, but is also influenced by topographic conditions and climate change. As a result, several countries have a much greater disaster risk than other countries. The following will be discussed by 5 countries that are most vulnerable to natural disasters.

Based on data from The World Risk Index in 2024, which is the latest report, here are 5 countries with the highest risk index score prone to natural disasters:

The index score shows how likely a country will experience a disaster. Reporting from the World Population Review, here are the full reviews to understand the causes and characteristics of disasters in each of these countries.

The Philippines occupies the first position as the most prone country to natural disasters in the world. Its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire belt makes the country very vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The movement of tectonic plates causes earthquakes to occur repeatedly and have the potential to trigger tsunamis.

Indonesia occupies the second position in the list of the most disaster-prone countries. Geographically, Indonesia is at a meeting of three large tectonic plates which causes the frequency of the earthquake to be very high. This tectonic activity can also trigger a tsunami.

In addition, Indonesia has many active volcanoes that can erupt at any time. This eruption triggered volcanic ash, lava floods, and major damage to the surrounding environment. Climate change also exacerbated the situation by increasing the risk of flooding, drought, and landslides.

India is ranked third as the most disaster-prone country. Of its 29 states, 27 regions are routinely exposed to disasters such as cyclones, floods, droughts, and earthquakes. India's topographic variations make many areas very vulnerable to natural disasters.

The Himalayan Mountains are one of the most tectonically active areas, causing earthquakes and landslides to occur frequently. In the lowlands, flooding is an annual problem due to high rainfall. Tectonic movement at sea also puts India at risk of experiencing a tsunami.

Colombia is ranked fourth most disaster-prone country according to the 2024 Risk Index. Its territory is in the Andes Mountains which is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, making earthquakes frequent.

In addition to the geological disaster, Colombia has beaches exposed to the Caribbean storm. Climate change and population growth in areas prone to increasing the risk of flooding and landslides. This combination of factors makes Colombia one of the most vulnerable countries on the American continent.

Mexico is the fifth most disaster-prone country in the world. Its Pacific coast is on the path of the Pacific Ring of Fire which makes the country very vulnerable to earthquakes. Many strong earthquakes have occurred in recent decades and have had a major impact on densely populated cities.

In addition to earthquakes, Mexico has active volcanoes and mountainous areas that trigger landslides. Tsunamis from underwater tectonic activity are also a threat to coastal areas. Disasters in Mexico also often trigger secondary disasters such as floods.

That is the discussion of the 5 countries most prone to natural disasters. Understanding this risk is important for mitigation efforts to protect the community and reduce the impact of disasters in the future.

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