EnvironmentWednesday, 15 April 2026·The Hindu
Marine heatwaves linked to 60% more billion-dollar cyclone disasters, study finds
A study released on 13 April 2026 found that marine heatwaves intensify tropical cyclones and raise billion-dollar disaster risk by 60%.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On 13 April 2026, a research analysis reported that marine heatwaves are supercharging tropical cyclones and causing a 60% increase in billion-dollar disasters through rapid intensification.
Key specifics
- Rapid intensification is defined in the study as a wind-speed increase of at least 30 knots, or about 55 km/h.
- Hotspots exceeding two events per year are prominent in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
- The analysis covers data from 1981 to 2023.
- Heatwave-linked cyclone trends are confirmed in the North Indian, North Atlantic and East Pacific basins.
- The North Indian Ocean has shown a marked increase in tropical cyclone activity since 2005.
Exam lens
Environment and disaster-risk question, 30 knots rapid intensification, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, 1981–2023 data, 60% rise in billion-dollar disasters — TNPSC may ask the definition and hotspot regions.