Floods in Brazil

In January 2022, rains caused major floods in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Heavy rainfall also affected Minas Gerais State with floods and landslides. In addition, the Carioca dam in Para de Minas was at risk of collapsing. Flash floods in Belo Horizonte raged, washing away debris and vehicles. Overall, at least 24 people were reported dead and more than 17,000 people were injured.

Sandstorms in Iraq

In May 2022, a severe sandstorm was recorded in Najaf, Iraq. According to the state TV channel Al Arabiya, the disaster left more than 2,000 people injured. After alleviating the effects of the sandstorm, experts assessed the scale of the tragedy and the possibility of its recurrence. According to the Iraqi Ministry of the Environment, there are risks of similar disasters over the next two decades. Experts say sandstorms in the country are going to last for 272 days a year and exceed 300 days by 2050.

Wildfires in Russia

In August 2022, part of Russia’s territory, namely the Ryazan Oblast, was caught up in powerful wildfires. The village of Kultuki in the Klepikovo district was even at risk of burning down. Based on the report of Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources, the forest fund of the Ryazan Oblast suffered damages worth 200 million rubles. Between August 15 and September 8, the fire swept away an area of over 18,000 hectares of the Ryazan Oblast forest fund.

Hurricane Ian in United States

In September, an unprecedented storm hit Bonita Springs, Florida, US. As a result, the coastal region of Cayo Costa was flooded. Hurricane Ian brought powerful winds, storm surge, and heavy rain, damaging infrastructure and property. Millions of people were left without power and some lost their homes. Statistics show that at least 132 people died and another 10,000 people went missing. Hurricane Ian caused as much as $50 billion in insured damages, according to estimates.

Typhoon Noru in Philippines

Typhoon Noru hit the town of San Ildefonso in the province of Bulacan in September 2022. The Philippines have not seen such a dreadful natural disaster for a long time. Plenty of houses were flooded. San Ildefonso’s infrastructure was seriously damaged. The super typhoon came to the Philippines at night, causing floods, destruction, and the deaths of at least 5 people. The number of casualties was later updated as the typhoon marched across the country, flooding several villages and causing massive landslides.

Heat waves and wildfires in Spain

In July 2022, the province of El Pont de Vilomar in Barcelona, Spain, suffered from heat waves and regular wildfires. According to meteorological data, heat waves were followed by rare periods of coolness. The second time abnormally hot weather hit Spain, it provoked the largest wildfires, and the country had to declare a red alert. As many as 60,000 hectares of forests were destroyed and two people died, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported, citing competent sources.