Photogallery Yearender 2018: Deadly disasters and accidents in India
Kerala Floods | Death toll 491+
![Kerala Floods | Death toll 491+ Kerala Floods | Death toll 491+](https://english.cdn.zeenews.com/sites/default/files/2018/12/29/747748-kerala-floods.jpg)
Kerala witnessed its worst flood in a century, claiming at least 491 lives and 14 still missing. The deadly deluge began in June with the torrential rains and landslides and quickly escalated to one of largest natural disasters of 2018 across the world. The worst-hit districts were Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Wayanad. At the height of the deluge, 14.5 lakh people took shelter in over 3,000 relief camps. A total of 4,778 persons are still housed in 120 relief camps. The Centre later declared this calamity of 'severe nature'. For the first time in the history of the state, 35 out of 54 dams in Kerala were opened.
Kerala floods
![Kerala floods Kerala floods](https://english.cdn.zeenews.com/sites/default/files/2018/12/29/747746-715745-nasa-kerala.jpg)
As per estimates, the floods caused a destruction of over Rs 40,000 crore. Relief operations were stunted for days as joint forces struggled to reach remote areas to rescue stranded people. As flood water started receding, the threat of epidemic and pandemic spread. Leptospirosis, commonly known as 'rat fever' that occurs after the outbreak of water-borne diseases, claimed at least 12 lives. Nearly 372 confirmed cases of Leptospirosis have been reported since August 1. NASA's before-after images of Kerala showed the massive extent of floods. The state is still recovering from the worst calamity it has faced since 1924.
Amritsar train accident
![Amritsar train accident Amritsar train accident](https://english.cdn.zeenews.com/sites/default/files/2018/12/29/747745-amritsar-train-accident.jpg)
At least 59 people were killed and several injured after a speeding train mowed down a crowd participating in the Dusshera revelries on October 20. Disturbing video footage and images showed many standing across the railway tracks filming the celebrations on their mobile phones when the tragedy struck. Most dead in the incident were migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Mumbai fires
![Mumbai fires Mumbai fires](https://english.cdn.zeenews.com/sites/default/files/2018/12/29/747744-kamala-mills-fire.jpg)
2018 started with the fallout of Kamala Mill Compound on December 29, 2017, that claimed 14 lives. Throughout the year, there were reports of several fires erupting across the maximum city.
Then on December 17, a massive blaze swept through government-run ESIC Kamgar hospital killing 10 people and leaving 141 patients and visitors injured, making it one of the deadliest hospital fire accidents in the country. On December 28, another fire broke out in a 16-storeyed Sargam Society, killing five persons including senior citizens.
Cyclone Titli
![Cyclone Titli Cyclone Titli](https://english.cdn.zeenews.com/sites/default/files/2018/12/29/747743-cyclone-titli.jpg)
Cyclone Gaja
![Cyclone Gaja Cyclone Gaja](https://english.cdn.zeenews.com/sites/default/files/2018/12/29/747742-cyclone-gaja.jpg)
Cyclone 'Gaja' had crossed the Tamil Nadu coast early on November 16 between Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam, about 300 km from Chennai. It left behind a trail of destruction in Nagapattinam district and also in several other districts. The cyclone has claimed 63 lives, with Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Pudukottai being the worst affected districts.
Northeast floods
![Northeast floods Northeast floods](https://english.cdn.zeenews.com/sites/default/files/2018/12/29/747741-northeast-floods.jpg)