List of Ongoing Natural Disasters in December 2024

For many people in different parts of the world, December 2024 is a gloomy month due to the natural disasters striking their regions. Several ongoing natural disasters have made many people homeless, lose their loved ones, and suffer from various discomforts.

What types of natural disasters causing these people experiencing this calamity? Below are the latest and most destructive natural disasters happened in December, 2024.

4 Ongoing Natural Disasters in December 2024

Experts predict natural disasters will occur more frequently because of the climate crisis and other factors. In December 2024, people in Asia, Africa, and Oceania witnessed how climate catastrophes and geological disasters made them suffer. Below are four current natural disasters around the world.

1. Vanuatu Earthquake

One of the most recent natural disasters occurred in Vanuatu, a region in Oceania. A quake of 7.3 magnitude struck Port Villa, Vanuatu on 17 December at about noon. This earthquake caused severe destruction in Efate Island.

Most houses in this island suffered from damage due to the powerful tremor. Moreover, landslides occurred in several areas after the quake. These landslides added more problems to the region. 

Those landslides buried roads and a quay. Therefore, residents and tourists had difficulties to get out of hazardous areas. In addition, reports said 16 people were dead and over 210 people suffered from injuries. Furthermore, aftershocks are still shaking the region. 

The latest one was on 21 December. The aftershock is of 6.1 magnitude. This earthquake worsened the condition in Vanuatu because its magnitude caused more damage to the already impaired buildings in Efata.

Currently, the region is asking for international assistance to cope with the impact of the severe earthquake. Vanuatu needs medical supplies, medical teams, tents, drinking water, food, and equipment to clean rubles.

2. Tropical Cyclone Chido

One of the ongoing natural disasters is the Tropical Cyclone Chido. This powerful and devastating cyclone struck Southeast Africa, such as Mayotte, Seychelles, Mozambique, and Mauritius. Reports said Chido began to form on 5 December 2024.

Chido struck Mozambique on 15 December with the highest winds of 205 km/h that lasted ten minutes. Later on, Chido moved to other regions and caused severe destruction. Reports said 142 people were dead and over 3,000 people injured by this cyclone. 

Moreover, numerous houses and buildings were damaged. In Mayotte, the cyclone marred 95% buildings in the region. In addition, there were over 50,000 buildings impaired in Mozambique. Furthermore, regions stricken by the Chido needs an assistance to recover from this disaster.

3. Kanlaon Eruption in the Philippines

One of current natural disasters in Asia is the Kanlaon Eruption in the Philippines. This volcano began its eruption in June 2024. At that time, ashfall occurred in several regions, such as La Carlota and Canlaon.

In addition, the eruption in June forced the government to evacuate more than 23,000 residents living within a 3-km radius of the volcano. This disaster also affected flights to several airports, e.g., Ninoy Aquino International Airport and San Jose Airport.

Since then, Kanlaon’s volcanic activities were increasing. Consequently, another explosive eruption occurred in 9 December. Due to this eruption, the government evacuated over 80,000 people.

The number of displaced people increased because the local authority decided to clear the area within a radius of 6 kilometer from the Kanlaon’s summit. This eruption also cancelled several flights.

On 16 December, over 16,000 people are still displaced due to the volcanic activities of Mount Kanlaon. Currently, they are staying in 27 evacuation centers and depending on the government’s assistance.

4. Floods in Libya

At least two current natural disasters in Africa this December. The first one is Cyclone Chido and the other is Libyan’s flood. However, these two ongoing natural disasters are miles apart because Libya is in the North while the cyclone struck the East.

In the last few months, Libya had suffered from floods. According to the record, the country started suffering from flood crisis in August 2024. That month, heavy rainfalls caused flooding in southwestern Libya and made more than 7,000 people displaced.

In September, another flood inundated several regions in this country and caused health problems for almost 70,000 people. Moreover, there is another flood in Libya in December 2024.

The flood in December affected many regions, such as Tajoura, Ain Zara, Bani Waleed, and Tarhuna. The flood impacted over 600 families. In addition, it blocked the access to the affected areas. Consequently, the local authority has difficulties distributing the aid for them. 

Four ongoing natural disasters struck countries in Asia, Africa, and Oceania in December. They affected thousands of people and caused their countries to have difficulties coping with the crisis. As a result, some countries called for international assistance to deal with the effects of the catastrophe.