Russia recorded the highest number of natural emergencies in five…
Russia recorded the highest number of natural emergencies in five years during the first half of 2026, according to MCHS data, with a significant increase in extreme weather events, floods, and wildfires. While national statistics show a rising trend linked to climate change, regional experts in Saint Petersburg dispute this, claiming no increase in hazardous phenomena in their area.
Consensus
- The first half of 2026 saw the highest number of natural emergencies in Russia over the past five years.
- The total number of natural emergencies in the first half of 2026 was 56.
- Natural emergencies include extreme weather, floods, and forest fires.
- MCHS data shows a rising trend in natural emergencies since 2022, with numbers increasing from 24 in 2022 to 56 in 2026.
- Climate change is cited as a contributing factor to the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
Points of divergence
- The main meteorologist for Saint Petersburg, Alexander Kolosov, stated that there has been no increase in hazardous phenomena in the North-West region, including Pskov and Novgorod regions, and that there were no adverse weather events last autumn or winter. — fontanka
- 845,233 people were affected by emergencies in Russia during the first half of 2026 — six times more than in the same period of the previous year — and 156 people died, which is 1.5 times higher than in the first half of 2025. — kommersant
- The casualties and affected population figures include emergencies caused by Ukrainian military strikes (ВСУ). — kommersant
Coverage (4 sources)
- Trend, but not ours? Why the number of natural disasters is growing in Russia and what St. Petersburg can expect from August — Фонтанка
- В России — максимальное число ЧС. Страну накрыли пожары и аномальная жара — Фонтанка
- In Russia, a record number of natural disasters in 5 years — Коммерсантъ
- Maximum number of natural disasters in five years registered in Russia for the first half of 2026, reported... — ТАСС (Telegram)