In 2024, India witnessed an unprecedented surge in internal displacement, with a staggering 5.4 million people forced to flee their homes due to natural disasters like floods and cyclones. This marks the highest displacement figure in over a decade, highlighting the growing influence of climate change and infrastructural challenges on vulnerable communities. This post explores the causes, regional impacts, and potential solutions to this pressing issue.
Major Causes of Displacement
Floods: The Leading Driver
Floods accounted for two-thirds of India’s internal displacements in 2024. Factors such as climate change, deforestation, and inadequate maintenance of dams and embankments amplified the severity of these events. In Assam, 2.5 million displacements were recorded due to the most intense floods in over a decade, affecting numerous districts and submerging villages. These events, reported on May 13, 2025, underscore the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness.
Cyclones and Their Impact
Cyclones were another significant contributor, triggering 1.6 million displacements across the country. Notably, Cyclone Dana, which struck in late October 2024, led to over a million pre-emptive evacuations in Odisha and West Bengal. The India Meteorological Department played a crucial role by issuing timely alerts, enabling state authorities to set up shelters and coordinate evacuations. Similarly, Cyclone Remal, which hit on May 24, 2024, caused 208,000 displacements in West Bengal, demonstrating the recurring threat of cyclonic storms.
Regional Impacts of Displacement
Assam’s Severe Flooding
Assam bore the brunt of the 2024 floods, with 2.5 million people displaced across multiple districts. Rivers like the Brahmaputra overflowed, submerging villages and disrupting livelihoods. The state’s vulnerability to flooding, exacerbated by climate change and erosion, highlights the need for robust infrastructure and disaster mitigation strategies.
Tripura’s Landslide Crisis
In Tripura, the 2024 monsoon season was the worst in over 40 years, triggering 315,000 displacements due to more than 2,000 landslides. These events, reported on May 13, 2025, blocked roads and hampered relief efforts, leaving communities isolated and in need of urgent aid.
Odisha and West Bengal’s Cyclonic Disruptions
Odisha and West Bengal faced significant challenges due to Cyclone Dana and Cyclone Remal. The former prompted over a million evacuations, while the latter displaced 208,000 people in West Bengal. Effective disaster management, including school closures and shelter provisions, mitigated the loss of life, but the scale of displacement underscores the region’s exposure to climate-related risks.
Understanding Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
Definition and Global Context
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are individuals forced to flee their homes due to disasters or conflicts but remain within their country’s borders. In 2024, the global IDP population reached 83.4 million, with India’s 5.4 million displacements contributing significantly. Globally, conflicts displaced 73.5 million people, while disasters accounted for 9.8 million, reflecting the dual challenges of violence and environmental crises.
Solutions to Address Displacement
Policy and Disaster Management
Addressing internal displacement requires a multi-faceted approach. Governments must prioritize disaster risk reduction, including better maintenance of dams and embankments. Strengthening early warning systems, as demonstrated by the India Meteorological Department’s role in cyclone evacuations, is critical. Additionally, policies to combat climate change and deforestation can reduce the frequency and intensity of disasters.
Community Integration and Humanitarian Aid
While humanitarian aid is essential, it is not a long-term solution. Sustainable measures, such as community integration programs and poverty reduction initiatives, can help displaced populations rebuild their lives. Investments in resilient infrastructure and urban planning are also vital to protect vulnerable regions from future disasters.
Key Insight: India’s 2024 displacement crisis highlights the urgent need for coordinated disaster management, climate action, and sustainable development to protect millions of lives and livelihoods.
Important Facts About Internal Displacement
To deepen your understanding, here are key points about internal displacement in India and globally:
- Scale of Crisis: India recorded 5.4 million displacements in 2024, the highest in 12 years, driven by floods and cyclones. [](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-records-millions-of-displacements-due-to-disasters-in-2024-highest-in-12-years-report/article69571202.ece)
- Climate Change Impact: Rising temperatures and deforestation intensify floods and storms, increasing displacement risks.
- Disaster Management: The India Meteorological Department’s early warnings facilitated pre-emptive evacuations, saving countless lives.
- Global Perspective: The global IDP population reached 83.4 million in 2024, with conflicts and disasters as primary causes.
- Sustainable Solutions: Long-term strategies, including disaster risk reduction and community resilience, are essential to address displacement.
By understanding the causes and impacts of internal displacement, we can advocate for policies and actions that create a safer, more resilient future for all.