# Imperial College study: climate change raised Cyclone Arnab damage in India by 33%

- Published: 2026-11-05 15:29 UTC
- Section: Planet › Climate
- Tags: Cyclone Arnab, climate change damage, Imperial College Storm Model, Grantham Institute, Andhra Pradesh cyclone, extreme weather attribution, eyewall rainfall, economic losses India
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-d4a682872d0c3ee51bc2c72c_imperial_college_study/

**Researchers at Imperial College London's Grantham Institute simulated the October 28 cyclone with and without human-induced warming. Direct damage to physical assets in India was 33% higher.**

![Imperial College study: climate change raised Cyclone Arnab damage in India by 33%](https://sgzwpqqelzmajkcubgkl.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/rt-media/2026/11/834c6f0990e99453.jpg)
*The Hindu Sci-Tech*

Researchers at the Grantham Institute of Imperial College London report that climate change increased the damage caused by tropical Cyclone Arnab by 33%, according to The Hindu Sci-Tech. The cyclone struck eastern India on October 28. Compared with a pre-industrial climate baseline, this resulted in tens of millions of dollars in additional direct economic losses. [1] The study was published on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

The storm brought intense rain and peak 1-minute sustained winds of up to 202 kilometres per hour, and caused severe damage to infrastructure across Andhra Pradesh, the study says. [1] Flash floods inundated National Highway 16 near Ichchapuram in Srikakulam district, leaving vehicles stranded.

## Simulation method

For the analysis, the researchers used the Imperial College Storm Model (IRIS). They simulated Cyclone Arnab under current conditions, which are 1.3 °C above pre-industrial levels. They then compared the result with a counterfactual climate without human-induced warming. [1]

The difference between the two runs is the basis for the attribution figures reported by the authors.

## Wind, rainfall and losses

According to the study, climate change increased the cyclone's maximum wind speed by approximately 5% and intensified its eyewall rainfall rate at landfall by 11%. [1]

Direct damage to physical assets in India was estimated to be 33% higher than it would have been in a pre-industrial climate baseline. The study attributes roughly 25% of the total economic damage directly to climate change. [1]

In a statement, Dr. Nathan Sparks, a researcher at the Department of Physics at Imperial College London, said the costs of climate change are not hypothetical future projections and are affecting coastal communities in eastern India today.

## Sources

1. [The Hindu Sci-Tech](https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/climate-change-increased-tropical-cyclone-arnabs-damage-by-33-study/article71669447.ece)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-d4a682872d0c3ee51bc2c72c_imperial_college_study/