Climate Change Alert: Mumbai's Coastal Areas at Risk of Inundation by 2040
A recent study warns that over 10% of Mumbai's land may go underwater by 2040 due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
Climate ChangeSea Level RiseMumbaiCoastal CitiesInundationReal Estate MumbaiAug 02, 2024
The report found that Mumbai experienced the maximum increase in sea levels, with a rise of 4.440 cm from 1987 to 2021. This was followed by Haldia, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Paradip, and Chennai. The study warned that the rise in sea levels will continue until the end of the century under all IPCC shared socioeconomic pathway scenarios in all 15 cities and towns, with the highest rise predicted for Mumbai.
By 2100, sea levels are expected to rise by 76.2 cm in Mumbai, 75.5 cm in Panaji, 75.3 cm in Udupi, 75.2 cm in Mangalore, 75.1 cm in Kozhikode, 74.9 cm in Kochi, 74.7 cm in Thiruvananthapuram, and 74.7 cm in Kanyakumari even under the medium-emission scenario.
The study warned that over 10% of the land in Mumbai, Yanam, and Thoothukudi; 5-10% in Panaji and Chennai; and 1-5% in Kochi, Mangaluru, Visakhapatnam, Haldia, Udupi, Paradip, and Puri would be submerged under water due to the rise in sea levels by 2040. In the next 60 years (by 2100), land submergence will increase in Mangalore, Haldia, Paradip, Thoothukudi, and Yanam than in Mumbai and Chennai under the high-emission scenario.
The report also highlighted the impact of rising sea levels on various sectors such as water, agriculture, forest, biodiversity, and health. It added that the beaches, backwaters, and mangrove forests would particularly be at risk, impacting biodiversity and tourism.
About the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP)
CSTEP is a Bengaluru-based think tank that focuses on policy research and analysis in the areas of science, technology, and policy. The organization aims to provide evidence-based research and analysis to inform policy decisions in India.
Keywords climate change, sea level rise, Mumbai, coastal cities, inundation, CSTEP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the predicted rise in sea levels in Mumbai by 2100?
76.2 cm
Which cities are at risk of inundation by 2040?
Mumbai, Yanam, Thoothukudi, Panaji, and Chennai
What are the sectors that will be affected by rising sea levels?
Water, agriculture, forest, biodiversity, and health
What is the organization behind the study?
Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP)
What is the main cause of rising sea levels?
Climate change
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