This document lists the top 10 deadliest natural disasters based on death toll. The deadliest was the 1931 Yellow River flood in China, which killed between 1 and 4 million people. The second deadliest was the 1887 Yellow River flood in China, killing 900,000 to 2 million. The third was the 1970 Bhola cyclone in Bangladesh, killing 500,000 to 1 million people.

1. Top 10 Deadliest
Natural Disasters
Based on death toll

2. 10. Aleppo Earthquake – 1138, Syria
Deaths: 230,000

3. 9. Indian Ocean Earthquake – 2004, Indian Ocean
Deaths: 230,000

4. 8. Banqiao Dam Failure – 1975, China
Deaths: 231,000

5. 7. Tangshan Earthquake – 1976, China
Deaths: 242,000

6. 6. Kaifeng Flood – 1642, China
Deaths: 300,000

7. 5. India Cyclone – 1839, India
Deaths: 300,000+

8. 4. Shaanxi Earthquake – 1556, China
Deaths: 830,000

9. 3. Bhola Cyclone – 1970, Bangladesh
Deaths: 500,000 – 1,000,000

10. 2. Yellow River Flood – 1887, China
Deaths: 900,000 – 2,000,000

11. 1. Yellow River Flood – 1931, China
Deaths: 1,000,000 – 4,000,000