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ArchitectureIndia

How to build sustainable homes in India's "cyclone capital"

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Agnidip Mukhopadhyay | Aniruddha Dhar | Tabea Mergenthaler
October 21, 2025

In the cyclone-prone Sundarbans, could cost-efficient homes built with locally available materials offer resilience in a changing climate?

In India's cyclone-prone Sundarbans, extreme weather is a yearly threat — flattening homes and deepening poverty. But local communities and NGOs are turning to resilient architecture to fight back. Using bamboo, clay, and aerodynamic designs, new homes are being built to withstand powerful storms. Bamboo is fast growing and abundant in the Sundarbans. The new homes, inspired by traditional techniques and adapted for modern needs, offer safety and hope to families who can’t afford to rebuild after every cyclone. With climate change intensifying, smart design is becoming a lifeline in one of India’s most vulnerable regions.

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