Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Ahmedabad, Kolkata Among World’s Least Climate-Resilient Cities, Report Finds
A study looked at how well 72 large cities can handle climate dangers.
These dangers include very hot weather, floods, droughts, wildfires and strong hurricane winds.
Ahmedabad and Kolkata were among the cities with the greatest remaining risks.
Nine of the highest-risk cities were in South Asia.
Dhaka had the greatest physical exposure before adaptation was considered.
The study said that better infrastructure, planning and investment can reduce climate risks.
Chinese cities received high marks for adapting to climate threats.
The researchers also warned that risks can differ greatly between neighborhoods within the same city.
AlphaGeo ranked Ahmedabad and Kolkata among the major cities with the highest remaining climate risk.
The analysis assessed 72 cities across flooding, heat stress, drought, wildfires and hurricane winds.
Ahmedabad and Hyderabad recorded the highest resilience-adjusted risk scores at 41 each, while Kolkata scored 35.
All nine cities with the highest resilience-adjusted risk scores were in South Asia.
Chicago ranked as the most resilient city, while Chinese and Japanese cities showed the effects of stronger adaptation measures.
- Who
- AlphaGeo assessed 72 major cities, including Ahmedabad, Kolkata and other cities in South Asia.
- What
- The analysis compared cities’ physical exposure to climate hazards with their remaining risk after adaptation measures.
- When
- The timing is not specified; the findings are presented in the cited AlphaGeo report.
- Where
- The assessment covered major cities worldwide, with particularly high risks reported in South Asia.
- Why
- The report aimed to show how extreme weather exposure, infrastructure, policy and adaptation affect urban climate resilience.
- Report
- AlphaGeo’s “How Climate Resilient Are the World’s Largest Cities?”
- Cities assessed
- 72 major cities
- Hazards assessed
- Inland and coastal flooding, heat stress, drought, wildfires and hurricane winds
- Highest RAJ score
- Ahmedabad and Hyderabad: 41 each
- Kolkata RAJ score
- 35
- Highest physical risk
- Dhaka, with a physical risk score of 60
- Most resilient city
- Chicago, with a resilience-adjusted risk score of 8