WorldRiskReport identifies Philippines as highest-risk nation for tropical storms

The latest WorldRiskReport, published by Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict at Ruhr University Bochum, warns of increasing global risks from tropical storms. While the annual average number of storms may not be rising, climate change and warming oceans are significantly increasing the intensity of high-category weather events.

The report identifies the Philippines as the country with the highest risk index (69.27 out of 100) due to a combination of extreme weather threats and high social vulnerability. Other nations facing significant risks include Mexico, Japan, Madagascar, Mauritius, China, Micronesia, South Korea, Australia, and the United States.

Researchers note that warmer oceans provide more energy for cyclones, leading to higher wind speeds and more intense precipitation. This trend also allows storms to reach higher latitudes and undergo rapid intensification near coastlines, which shrinks the window available for emergency evacuations. In Europe, while tropical systems are less frequent, Portugal and Ukraine are noted among the 100 most threatened countries, with increasing storm activity contributing to wetter winters in Northern Europe.