Contact Us

Global environmental disasters in December 2022

The world witnessed several unexpected environmental developments and disasters in December, including floods in Congo and Portugal, heavy rains and deadly landslides in Brazil and the Philippines and deadly winter storms in the U.S. as well as cyclones in India and Sri Lanka.

  • 1
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 2:

Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina declares a state of emergency following heavy rains and two deaths.

  • 2
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 5:

At least 31 people die after a landslide, caused by heavy rains, buried several vehicles in western Colombia.

  • 3
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 8:

Flooding kills one person and forces more than 100 people to flee their homes in Portugal's capital of Lisbon and nearby areas.

  • 4
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 10:

At least four people die after Cyclone Mandous makes landfall in Mamallapuram in India's Tamil Nadu state.

  • 5
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 12:

The heaviest snowfall since 2013 causes massive travel disruption across the UK as flights and trains are canceled.

  • 6
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 13:

At least 50 people are killed in the Congo by landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains which pounded the nation's capital of Kinshasa.

  • 7
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 14:

Most of Portugal remains on alert for continued heavy rains as record-breaking rains left widespread damage in several areas.

  • 8
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 15:

Thousands in UK's Shetland are facing a fourth day without power as engineers warn some could be in the dark longer amid the threat of additional snowfall and freezing temperatures.

  • 9
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 17:

Argentine
is battling blazes in seven provinces as fires hit Salta, Entre Ríos, Corrientes, Córdoba, San Luis, Río Negro and Tierra del Fuego.

  • 10
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 20:

Blizzard conditions are expected across much of the U.S. during the Christmas holidays in what weather experts are forecasting to be a "life-threatening" bomb cyclone.

  • 11
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 22:

The National Weather Service warns of "dangerous cold" and "life-threatening" conditions when temperatures plummet across the U.S. as an Arctic winter storm blankets parts of the country.

  • 12
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 23:

At least eight people are killed and several injured during heavy snowfall in Japan.

  • 13
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 24:

An Arctic winter storm intensifies across the U.S. leaving more than 1 million people without power.

  • 14
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 26:

At least six people are killed and thousands fled to safety after heavy rains and subsequent flooding hit the Philippines, ruining Christmas celebrations.

  • 15
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 27:

A massive winter storm hitting much of the Midwest and northern U.S. has claimed 63 lives.

  • 16
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 30:

Filipino
authorities say the death toll from heavy rains and floods climbs to 44 and revises the number missing to 28.

  • 17
  • 17
Global environmental disasters in December 2022

DEC. 31:

Rapidly deteriorating air quality in the Iranian capital of Tehran and adjacent cities forced authorities to order the closure of schools in some provinces.