Nuclear Impact Analysis · China

Is Chengdu safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Chengdu and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 9,000,000 metro residents.

30/100
HIGH RISK

Chengdu city centre sits 63 m from Chengdu (aerospace/defence), the most plausible strategic target in the area (medium targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 300 kt airburst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 0% · Estimated metro fatalities: 343.9K, injuries: 414.1K

Run the interactive simulation for Chengdu →

What a strike on Chengdu (aerospace/defence) would mean

A 300 kt detonation produces a fireball 646 m across in radius. Reinforced concrete fails out to 2.3 km (20 psi). Most residential buildings collapse within 4.6 km (5 psi), and windows shatter dangerously out to 10.4 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 6.9 km suffers third-degree burns from the thermal pulse.

An airburst maximises blast damage but produces minimal local fallout, so for Chengdu the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.

Most plausible targets near Chengdu

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
Chengdu (aerospace/defence)industrial0 km300 ktmedium
Three Gorges Damenergy664 km300 ktmedium
Xining missile brigademilitary702 km300 ktmedium
Luoyang missile basemilitary900 km300 ktmedium
Delingha ICBM basemilitary977 km800 kthigh

Key blast radii (300 kt airburst)

EffectRadiusWhat happens
Fireball646 mComplete vaporisation
20 psi blast2.3 kmHardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities
5 psi blast4.6 kmMost buildings collapse, widespread fatalities
3rd-degree burns6.9 kmFull-thickness burns to exposed skin
500 rem radiation2.4 kmLethal dose without medical care
1 psi blast10.4 kmWindow breakage, light damage, glass injuries

How Chengdu can prepare

With a population density of 2,600 people/km², Chengdu's outcome would hinge on the first hour. The guidance is identical everywhere: get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. A basement or the core of a large concrete building cuts fallout exposure by a factor of 10 or more, and radiation decays fast — dose rates fall ~90% within the first 7 hours and ~99% within two days.

Check your exact address in Chengdu →
Model disclaimer: These are research-grade estimates from open scaling laws (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977), not predictions. Actual outcomes depend on burst height, weapon choice, weather, terrain and sheltering. In any real emergency follow official civil-defence guidance.

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