Some people believe that to maintain the balance of the earth; natural disasters occur even though it is dangerous and harmful for human beings because we have made this world according to our rules. We have made tall buildings, landscapes, gambling’s, etc. So whenever a natural disaster occurs, it destroys human property, and many people die.
This article will mainly discuss the major deadliest natural disasters that occurred in the 20th and 21st centuries, which caused too many deaths and destroyed landmarks and other damages.
Related: Things That Happened Unexpectedly in 2020
Major Disasters of 20th and 21st Century
Most of the major natural disasters occurred in the continent of Asia. So we will get information about the countries in Asia.
Note: The disasters discussed in this article are only natural disasters. It does not include industrial or technological incidents, epidemics, or famines. It also excludes the 1938 Yellow river flood.
Here are the top 10 natural disasters of the 20th & 21st century
The disasters mentioned below are arranged by several deaths- decreasing deaths.
China Floods-1931
- Date: July 1931
- Location: China
- Death toll: 401,000 – 4,000,200
This flood, which occurred in China almost 90 years ago, caused damage to the history of human beings. It affected not only human beings but also other lives in China. At that time – old times – China was not developed, and this flood swiped all the houses and trees – causing soil erosion – destroyed lands and bushes. The estimated of deaths of people was 400,000 to more than 4,000,000. At that time, there was no management of any natural disasters hence resulted in too many deaths – a record in the 20th century.
Bhola Cyclone-1970
- Date: November 1970
- Location: East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh)
- Death toll: 500,000+
A cyclone on November 5 entered the region of Bangladesh. The Brahmaputra, or Yarlung Tso, was the river of this Cyclone. It killed more than 500,000 people. Along with that, the houses and camps in that area were eradicated. No management and less care resulted in colossal destruction.
Haiti Earthquake-2010
- Date: January 12, 2010
- Location: Haiti
- Death toll: 100,000 – 316,000
Earthquakes are the most deadly disasters in nature. On January 12, 2020, this Earthquake occurred in Haiti and killed more than 320,000 people. A record in Haiti record and also it was the biggest of the first decade of the 21st century. Haiti encountered a massive loss of lives and houses.
Haiyuan Earthquake-1920
- Date: December 16, 1920
- Location: China
- Death toll: 273,400
On December 16, 1920, in Haiyun region of China faced a monstrous Earthquake. It killed more than 270,000 people at once. The people of that time were missing one thing: a lack of knowledge about natural disasters. In today’s world, science has enabled humans to predict natural disasters, and it is almost accurate.
No management and system were introduced by the government or kings of that time to the people. No system caused no help for the people.
Tangshan Earthquake-1976
- Date: July 28, 1976
- Location: China
- Death toll: 242,500 – 655,000
China at that time was tackling more and more disasters. Another big earthquake killed more than 700,000 people in the Tangshan region of China on July 28, 1976. This was the biggest Earthquake of the 20th century in China. It caused more difficulties for the people and a shortage of Food.
Nina Typhoon-1975
- Date: August 7, 1975
- Location: China
- Death toll: 229,000
Nina typhoon was the biggest typhoon in the history of China. It occurred on August 7, 1975. It killed more than 230,000 people. It destroyed houses and trees. They left alone people with no way of earning near the water areas. At that time, China was less developed than it is today. It caused a massive economic crisis. More and more people became poor.
Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami-2004
- Date: December 26, 2004
- Location: Indian Ocean
- Death toll: 227,890
A tsunami near the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, a black day in the history of the Indian Ocean, killed more than 230,000 people. It left people homeless, helpless, and hopeless. A continuous earthquake and tsunami aggravated a wave of fear among the people. It was the worst moment in the lives of people.
Yangtze Flood-1935
- Date: 1935
- Location: China
- Death toll: 145,000
China has experienced many natural disasters, from earthquakes to floods to tsunamis. Many people have lost their homes, properties, animals, sources of income, and near and dear ones. A flood that was remembered as the Yangtze Flood in 1935 killed more than 150,000 people in the Yangtze region of China.
Great Kantõ Earthquake-1923
- Date: September 1, 1923
- Location: Japan
- Death toll: 143,000
Japa near China also faced a major earthquake-the great Kantõ earthquake- which killed more than 140,000 people in Japan Kantõ region. It occurred on starting of a new month on September 1, 1923. People were willing for good, enjoying their lives, faced this demon- a monstrous Earthquake.
Bangladesh Cyclone-1991
- Date: April 29, 1991
- Location: Bangladesh
- Death toll: 138,866
Two cyclones in 20 years, and big ones, killed more than 140,000 people in Bangladesh. It occurred on April 29, 1991. It has left an impact on poor people in that region until now. It is not easy to build a new house if it’s destroyed. Not even can put a single brick without any Aid from the governing bodies.
Additional Information
San Andreas Earthquake and Prediction Possibility Of Earthquake
In the history of the United States of America, a big Earthquake shaking the whole of San Andreas occurred. A brilliant rescue man saved people’s lives in San Andreas. A group of colleagues at the Department of Earthquakes at The University Of California, studying earthquakes, discovered a way to predict earthquakes.
One group member died researching the Earthquake at a Dam in San Andreas. But his friend continued the work and proved to the world that science could predict Earthquakes accurately. Magnetic pulses helped them to research and predict earthquakes.
This Earthquake caused the whole region of San Andreas to shake. The magnetic pulse moved from California to San Francisco. It has killed many people. This Earthquake also causes a tsunami. Thousand of buildings and houses were destroyed. The doctor predicted the Earthquake in San Francisco and thus saved millions of lives. This was a record in earthquake history.
Chile Earthquake
It also broke all records. It occurred on May 22, 1960. It struck the country with a magnitude of -9.5, the biggest Earthquake in Chile’s history. Nearly 6,000 people died.
Turkey, Izmir Earthquake
On October 30, 2020, an earthquake with a magnitude of -7.0 struck the Izmir region of Turkey. It damaged all the buildings and people resources.
North Pakistan Earthquakes
A mountainous area in Gilgit Baltistan
An earthquake of magnitude 8.1 struck an area in GB. The buildings collapsed. There were no tall buildings and crowded buildings, so there was no damage to human lives. These earthquakes remained there, in that area, for more than a month and a half, and the people say that there is still sometimes the land shakes.
