What happened
The latest WorldRiskReport identifies storms as the extreme hazard associated with the highest economic losses. It says a warming climate is increasing storm intensity, altering storm tracks and exposing more people to their effects.
The report was produced by the German civil-society alliance Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr University Bochum. It says poorer countries suffer more heavily than wealthier industrialised economies when storms cause damage. Storms are also third among extreme hazards for loss of life, after earthquakes and episodes of extreme heat or cold.
Its storm-risk assessment covers 193 countries. The 10 countries carrying the largest share of global storm risk are the Philippines, Mexico, Madagascar, Mauritius, Japan, China, Micronesia, the United States, South Korea and Australia.
Portugal, at 69th, and Ukraine, at 96th, are the only European countries in the first 100 of that storm-specific ranking. In the broader World Risk Index, which covers disaster risk across natural hazards, Türkiye is 38th. It is the sole European country in the top 50.
Why it matters
The report places Türkiye ahead of 12 other European countries in the overall top 100 risk ranking. Italy is 51st, Greece 56th, Spain 58th, France 78th, Albania 81st, Poland 82nd, Portugal 86th, the United Kingdom 89th, Croatia 92nd, Belgium 94th, the Netherlands 96th and Germany 99th.
For businesses and public authorities, the findings underline the importance of preparedness alongside emissions cuts. Storm damage can be amplified by coastal flooding, erosion and landslides as sea levels rise. Warmer air can also produce heavier rainfall in convective storms because it retains more moisture.
The report says warnings need to reach excluded groups and households that require direct help to evacuate. It argues that systems should account for several hazards, including rainfall, wind, ice, lightning and tornadoes, rather than concentrating only on wind.
Background
Tropical cyclones draw energy from warm ocean water and may affect areas where such storms have previously been unusual. The report also notes that rapidly intensifying storms can make warning and evacuation more difficult.
Insurance covers roughly half of storm losses in the Global North, according to the report, but is often unaffordable or unavailable in the Global South. This can delay reconstruction and deepen long-term financial hardship.
What's next
The report calls for stronger infrastructure, improved forecasting, early-warning arrangements and community-based disaster preparation. It also says reducing emissions can limit further climate-driven increases in storm intensity.
