TL;DR Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that floods accounted for 361 deaths in 2024, far higher than 39 deaths due to torrential rains and 19 deaths due to cyclones and tornadoes. Over the last decade, flood-related deaths peaked at 959 in 2020 before declining to their lowest level of 266 in 2023. In 2024, Bihar reported the highest number of flood deaths (65), while middle-aged adults (45 to 60 years) and males (289 deaths) accounted for the largest share of flood fatalities.

Context

The arrival of the monsoon brings much-needed rainfall that supports agriculture, replenishes water reservoirs, and provides relief from the summer heat. However, the season also increases the risk of floods, torrential rains, and cyclones that disrupt lives and claim hundreds of lives each year. While individual weather events often dominate headlines, official data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) provides a broader picture of how these major monsoon hazards have affected India over the past decade.

Who Compiles This Data?
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, publishes annual statistics on accidental deaths caused by natural forces through its Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India (ADSI) reports. NCRB figures reflect deaths reported through police records and may differ significantly from estimates by disaster management authorities.

Where can I download Clean & Structured Data on Monsoon Hazards?
Clean, structured, and analysis-ready datasets on deaths due to floods, torrential rains, cyclones, and other natural hazards are available for download on Dataful.

Key Insights

Flood Deaths Peaked in 2020 and Have Since Declined

Over the last decade, floods have remained the deadliest among the three major monsoon hazards. Between 2015 and 2024:

• Flood-related deaths ranged from 266 in 2023 to 959 in 2020.

• Torrential rain deaths remained considerably lower, varying between 39 and 259.

• Cyclone and tornado deaths were generally limited, although a few years recorded noticeable spikes.

Flood-related deaths peaked at 959 in 2020 before declining over the next four years to 361 in 2024. This represents a decline of nearly 62% from the 2020 peak.

Torrential rain deaths showed considerable year-to-year fluctuations. After reaching 259 deaths in 2017, they steadily declined to 39 deaths in 2024, the lowest level during the decade.

Cyclone and tornado deaths exhibited an irregular pattern. Fatalities rose sharply to 161 in 2018 before dropping to just 3 in 2023. In 2024, the figure increased to 19. Since cyclones are relatively infrequent but often severe events, annual deaths tend to depend on the intensity and landfall of individual storms rather than a consistent trend.

Flood, Torrential Rain, and Cyclone Deaths Are Concentrated in Different States

The impact of monsoon hazards varies considerably across India, with each hazard showing a distinct geographical pattern.

In 2024, Bihar recorded the highest number of flood-related deaths (65), followed by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Flood deaths were spread across several states, reflecting the widespread nature of riverine and urban flooding during the monsoon.

In contrast, Himachal Pradesh recorded the highest number of deaths due to torrential rains (11), highlighting the vulnerability of hilly regions to intense rainfall.

Cyclone and tornado deaths were far more localised. Maharashtra alone accounted for 17 of the 19 recorded deaths in 2024, indicating that the year’s fatalities were largely associated with weather events affecting a single region. These patterns underline that while floods affect large parts of the country, torrential rains and cyclones tend to have a more concentrated geographical impact.

Middle-aged Adults and Men Accounted for the Highest Number of Flood Deaths

Floods not only accounted for the highest number of monsoon-related deaths but also revealed who was most affected.

In 2024, 289 of the 361 flood deaths were male, meaning 4 out of every 5 victims were men. This likely reflects greater exposure through occupations such as farming, fishing, construction, transportation, and disaster response.

Among age groups, middle-aged adults (45 to 60 years) recorded the highest number of deaths (99), followed by adults aged 30 to 45 years (77) and young adults aged 18 to 30 years (75). Together, these working-age groups accounted for nearly seven in every ten flood deaths, suggesting that people who spend more time outdoors or commute regularly are particularly vulnerable during flood events.

Why Does It Matter? 

The monsoon is vital for India’s economy and agriculture, but it also remains one of the country’s most significant seasonal hazards.

The data shows that floods continue to pose the greatest threat to life among major monsoon hazards, even as deaths from torrential rains and cyclones fluctuate from year to year. The geographical concentration of different hazards also highlights the need for region-specific disaster preparedness rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Strengthening flood forecasting systems, improving drainage infrastructure, protecting vulnerable riverbank communities, expanding early warning systems, and ensuring timely evacuations can significantly reduce loss of life. As floods continue to account for the largest share of monsoon hazard deaths, investments in forecasting, resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and emergency response will remain critical to reducing fatalities.

Key Numbers (2024)

• Deaths Due to Monsoon Hazards: Flood (361), Torrential Rains (39), Cyclone & Tornado Deaths (19)

• State with the highest Flood deaths: Bihar (65)

• State with the highest Torrential Rain deaths: Himachal Pradesh (11)

• State with the highest Cyclone & Tornado deaths: Maharashtra (17)

• Most affected age group in Flood deaths: Middle-aged Adults (45 to 60 years) with 99 deaths

• Gender most affected in Flood deaths: Males (289 deaths)