Millions of people living in Mumbai and Kolkata could face the risk of permanent displacement and loss of homes as global sea levels continue to rise, according to a United Nations report. The report, Challenges Related to Sea Level Rise and Ways and Approaches to Address It, warns that rising seas are no longer a distant environmental threat. Coastal cities are already dealing with damage to infrastructure, transport networks, energy systems and freshwater sources. Read on to know more.
Over 14 Million People At Risk Across Mumbai, Kolkata & South Asian Deltas
According to a report by News18, the UN report highlights the severe human impact of rising sea levels across South Asia. More than 14 million people living in low-lying delta regions around Kolkata, Mumbai and Dhaka are at risk of losing their homes to permanent inundation. While cities such as Miami and New York face potential infrastructure losses running into trillions of dollars, South Asian cities face a more immediate challenge: large-scale displacement of vulnerable populations.
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Global sea levels are rising due to warming oceans and melting glaciers. According to the UN, average global sea levels rose by 4.7 mm annually between 2014 and 2023, before reaching a record 5.9 mm in 2024, driven by exceptional ocean warming. The risk is further amplified by land subsidence, where sinking urban land combines with rising seas to increase flooding, coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources. Nearly 770 million people globally, or around 10% of the world’s population, live in coastal areas less than five metres above the high-tide line.
Rising Seas Also Threaten Health And Infrastructure
The impact extends beyond homes and physical infrastructure. Flooding can damage sanitation and healthcare systems, increase the spread of water-borne diseases and cause injuries and mental health stress among affected communities.
The UN has called on coastal countries to strengthen long-term adaptation plans, secure predictable climate financing and establish legal frameworks to protect vulnerable communities before rising seas trigger large-scale and difficult-to-manage relocations.
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For Mumbai and Kolkata, the threat of rising seas is becoming more and more difficult to ignore.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
FAQs
How high will the sea level rise by 2050?
Sea levels along U.S. coastlines are expected to rise by an average of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) above today's levels by 2050.
How much will sea level rise in 2026?
Global sea levels are projected to rise by approximately 4.3 to 4.7 millimetres (0.17 to 0.18 inches) over the course of 2026.
How many days of water are left in Mumbai?
Mumbai currently has approximately 352 days of water remaining following successful monsoon replenishments that have filled the city's seven supply lakes to over 95% capacity.
