Travel With Insurance: 8 Countries that are Prone to Natural Disasters (2024 Updated)

From storms to tornadoes, natural disasters could make or break an otherwise well-deserved vacation with your family overseas.

In this blog post, we will go over the 8 countries that are prone to natural disasters and the importance of travel insurance to ensure your safety and well-being should you decide to travel anywhere that is prone to disasters.

The 8 Countries That Are Prone to Natural Disasters

Natural disasters can strike unexpectedly at any point in time and safety in countries that are prone to natural disasters is one area that should never be overlooked. Below are some notable countries that are prone to natural disasters this year.

The Philippines

The Philippines is prone to natural disasters due to being located on the Circum-Pacific belt, otherwise known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, to which most earthquakes and volcano eruptions take place along the ring.

The Philippines has two major seasons, the rainy season from June to November and the dry season from December to May.

On February 6th, 2024, a landslide occurred following heavy rainfall in Maco, Davao de Oro, Philippines. At least 100 people were killed, 7,000 people were affected, and some even went missing.

At least 45 of the missing victims were also employees of local firm Apex Mining, to which employees waiting on buses leaving the mine were engulfed in the landslide.

Indonesia

Also located by the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia has an even greater susceptibility to earthquakes than the Philippines due to being situated on three tectonic plates. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the earthquakes also evoke tsunami waves that pose further danger to the country.

But there’s more than earthquakes and tsunamis. On March 13th, 2024, floods and landslides on Indonesia’s island of Sumatra affected up to 15,500 children and 40,000 families, making this Indonesia’s second major flood in a month. At least 263 people were killed and over 11 went missing.

The monsoon season in Indonesia usually occurs between November and March, causing floods and landslides in Indonesia’s archipelago consisting of over 17,000 islands.

India

27 of India’s 29 states are constantly exposed to floods, cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, as well as landslides. India’s susceptibility to natural disasters could be attributed to the country’s topographic features.

Examples include earthquake-induced landslides at the himalayas, flooding-prone plains in the mainland, and tsunami waves caused by tectonic movements in coastal regions. There are also tropical cyclones that occur from May to June and October to November.

On October 4th, 2023, a heavy rainfall in the South Lhonak Lake of North Sikkim triggered a flood in Teesta. At least 42 people were killed in the flood and thousands of people were displaced.

Mexico

Due to the country’s Pacific Coast being located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Mexico is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. Additionally, earthquakes and tsunamis in Mexico also cause secondary disasters like flooding.

In line with much of the Caribbean, Mexico’s hurricane season lasts between June and November with the most prominent activity being August to November. Severe storms, mudslides, landslides, and floods typically follow hurricanes and affect coastal areas the most.

Back in late October 2023, Acapulco, Mexico was left in ruins with at least 27 people killed and four people missing as a result of Hurricane Otis hitting the coast.

Colombia

Due to the collision of the South American and Nazca Plate, Colombia is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Andean Volcanic Belt. This makes Colombia even more susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Hurricanes can also affect the Caribbean coast.

Climate change also contributes to the country’s increased susceptibility to landslides and flooding.

Colombia has two rainy seasons–March to June and September to November; and the hurricane season occurs from June to November, during which floods, landslides, and rain can become problematic for travel plans.

On January 13th, 2024, at least 33 people were killed in a landslide resulting from intense rainfall in Northwestern Colombia. Additionally, a mudslide blocked out a roadway connecting the cities of Quibdo and Medellin in the Pacific province of Choco.

Dozens of people were also injured on a busy highway and some people went missing after mud engulfed countless cars on the road.

China

As China is located where the Eurasian, Pacific, and Indian Ocean plates meet, the country suffers from frequent earthquakes due to constant tectonic movements. Being a mountainous country, China’s mountainous regions and hilly areas are frequently hit by collapse, landslide, and debris flow.

China is susceptible to severe flooding due to intense rainfall, typhoons, and the monsoon season.

Since April 18th, 2024, China’s southeastern province of Guangdong experienced severe flooding as a result of intense rainfall. Four days later, four people were reported dead while ten went missing and 110,000 residents evacuated.

On May 1st, 2024, a landslide in China’s Meilong Expressway killed up to 36 people and injured at least 30 more people. The fatalities occurred due to 20 cars plunging into the landslide scar, possibly at high speed, to which some even caught fire.

Japan

Due to Japan’s archipelago (a group of islands) being located along the Ring of Fire where various tectonic plates meet, Japan is susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.

Japan’s precipitation also varies occasionally and is especially concentrated during the rainy and typhoon season. Heavy rainfall and flooding are often caused by typhoons, which regularly hit Japan, and tropical cyclones tend to approach Japan’s archipelago between July and October.

On January 3rd, 2024, a series of powerful earthquakes in western Japan killed off at least 62 people as rescue workers struggled to save those trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Additionally, water, electricity, and cell phone services were also down in some areas.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s geographical location, land characteristics, multiplicity of rivers, and the monsoon climate make the country extremely susceptible to natural disasters. Some of the natural disasters in Bangladesh include floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

Strong cyclones occur either during the early summer (March to April) or later in the rainy season (October to November). Depending on the intensity, cyclones can cause structural damage or complete destruction of houses and buildings.

Back on August 7th, 2023, flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Southeastern Bangladesh submerged numerous areas in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazaar, Bandarban, and Feni. Landslides also killed off four people, injured six people, and damaged up to 718 houses.

Travel With Insurance: The Importance of Travel Insurance

Now that you know the countries that are prone to natural disasters due to geographic location or susceptibility factors such as tectonic movements, let’s now move onto one factor that should not be overlooked to ensure your vacation abroad is both safe and healthy– travel insurance.

Travel insurance will offer financial protection in the event of unforeseen illnesses and injuries or luggage loss and delay during your vacation abroad.

Assuming you end up sick or injured while on vacation or your luggage gets lost during the layover process, your travel insurance policy will cover item losses, illnesses, or injuries sustained.

Recommended Types of Travel Insurance

If you are taking a one-off trip for a set period, a single-trip option would be ideal for you. However, if you decide to take more than two trips within a full year, we highly recommend choosing the annual or multi-trip option as it is more cost-effective.

For parents and children under the age of 18 going on vacation, the family option is also a viable option. This covers both the parents and their children in the event of luggage loss or illnesses and injuries.

Note: Do keep in mind that the exact areas of coverage, exclusions, and cost will vary between different insurers.

Secure Travel Insurance with Pacific Prime

As a leading international health insurance broker, Pacific Prime has over 20 years of experience in matching both expats and local citizens to a health insurance plan that matches both their budget and unique healthcare needs.

Whether you’re an expat visiting a particular country, or an individual or family looking to stay safe and healthy while on vacation overseas, Pacific Prime and our team of specialists are more than happy to help you out.

And if you have any further questions, please get in touch with us and get a free quote.