Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) have developed a Disaster Intensity Index (DII) to assess the financial impact of natural disasters on state budgets, providing a crucial roadmap for disaster preparedness and economic resilience. India’s geographical location and tropical monsoon climate make it highly susceptible to natural disasters, particularly floods and cyclones. The country experiences five to six tropical cyclones annually, with at least two to three classified as severe. These disasters not only result in immediate loss of life and property but also place a significant financial burden on governments, particularly state administrations responsible for disaster response and recovery.

Nandini Suresh researcher, Trupti Mishra professor and D Parthasarathy, professor