heavy damage; havoc; ravages
Refers to severe, often widespread damage or destruction, typically from disasters, war, or accidents. Somewhat formal and more common in written Japanese.
The havoc brought by the typhoon was unimaginable.
We pass on the ravages of war to future generations.
Compound of 惨 (miserable, wretched, disastrous) and 害 (harm, damage). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally conveys severe, tragic damage.