Nuclear Impact Analysis · India

Is Delhi safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Delhi and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 32,000,000 metro residents.

100/100
MINIMAL RISK

Delhi city centre sits 14.4 km from New Delhi government district, the most plausible strategic target in the area (high targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 300 kt airburst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 99% · Estimated metro fatalities: 1.2M, injuries: 1.5M

Run the interactive simulation for Delhi →

What a strike on New Delhi government district 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 Delhi the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.

Most plausible targets near Delhi

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
New Delhi government districtgovernment14 km300 kthigh
Islamabadgovernment675 km150 kthigh
Karachi port & industryport1091 km150 ktmedium
Mumbai (BKC financial)city1154 km300 ktmedium
Delingha ICBM basemilitary2114 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 Delhi can prepare

With a population density of 11,300 people/km², Delhi'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 Delhi →
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.

Compare with other cities

TaipeiManilaSantiagoPortlandJacksonvilleTucsonLeedsBudapest