The world's most cyclone-prone countries unveiled
Asia and the Caribbean are home to some of the world’s most cyclone-prone countries.
Every year, there are around 80 to 90 tropical cyclones across the globe. The latest risk index score reveals the top 10 countries with the number of people exposed to tropical cyclones yearly.
The Dominican Republic ranks first, with a risk index of 10, closely followed by the Philippines (9.3) and Japan (9.2). These regions are particularly vulnerable due to their location, population density, and geography.
However, besides a general definition of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and low-pressure centres, there are several types of tropical cyclones, such as hurricanes and typhoons, which usually impact different regions worldwide.
Hurricanes occur in the North Atlantic & Eastern Pacific (impacting the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and SE USA). In contrast, typhoons occur in the Northwestern Pacific (affecting countries like Japan, China, Taiwan, and the Philippines). Cyclones tend to impact the Indian Ocean & South Pacific (impacting areas like India and Australia).
While South Korea only ranks 6th on the list with an 8.3 score, Japan is on top because of its unique geographical location. Its location in the northwestern Pacific, coupled with warm ocean waters and complex atmospheric patterns, makes it a hotspot for typhoons.
However, climate change could be one of the reasons behind it. Research from the Climate Council reveals that the growing temperature may strengthen tropical cyclones, resulting in stronger wind speed and move slower. For instance, Tropical Cyclone Yasa caused massive damage to Fiji’s northern island of Vanus Levu in December 2020.
