The high number of weather-related natural disasters in 2010 has made it an "exceptional" year, the world's top reinsurer has said.
The floods in Pakistan and China and the Haiti earthquake have killed tens of thousands of people, costing USD 130 billion.
"The high number of weather-related natural catastrophes and record temperatures both globally and in different regions of the world provide further indications of advancing climate change," said Munich Re in a report.
A total of 950 natural catastrophes were recorded last year, making 2010 the second worst year since 1980.
Haiti's earthquake was by far the worst disaster in terms of human cost, killing 222,570 people; however, it cost the insurance industry very little.
But a month later, the earthquake that hit Chile was the world's most expensive natural disaster last year, with overall losses of USD 30 billion and insured losses of USD 8 billion.
Comment: This event appears to be closely related to the recent Cyclone Yasi in the northern parts of Queensland. Take a look at the latest satellite imagery to appreciate the size of the storm cell.
For readers outside of Australia - the state of Victoria is located in the South-East corner of the country.