Climate Change Reshaping India's Cyclone Risks
Climate Change Reshaping India's Cyclone Risks
IN · Published Sep 29, 2026
• India's cyclone risk is evolving due to climate change, with significant shifts in storm intensity, rainfall patterns, and sea levels. While the total number of cyclones over the North Indian Ocean has decreased between 1951 and 2018, the Arabian Sea has seen a 150% rise in very severe cyclones from 2001 to
• Warmer seas, heavier rainfall, and rising sea levels are contributing to more intense storms and higher storm surges. The year 2024 was India's warmest on record, and 2025 saw extreme weather events causing approximately 2,760 deaths, primarily from floods, landslides, and lightning. Improved early warning systems have significantly reduced cyclone-related fatalities, as seen in Odisha, where deaths from cyclones have dropped dramatically since 1999.

Impact & Risks

The changing cyclone patterns pose heightened risks to India's coastal regions, particularly in states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. Rising sea levels, estimated at 3.3 mm per year between 1993 and 2017, exacerbate storm surges, threatening densely populated coastal cities and infrastructure. The Arabian Sea's increasing cyclone activity also endangers western coastal states. Beyond cyclones, extreme rainfall events and heatwaves are becoming more frequent, impacting agriculture, water resources, and urban areas. Vulnerable populations, especially those in informal housing or flood-prone areas, face the greatest risks.

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