UN report warns sea level rise could affect millions in Kolkata and Mumbai

The United Nations has issued a stark warning that rising sea levels could devastate millions of people living in Kolkata and Mumbai, as well as other low-lying areas across South Asia. In a report released by Secretary-General Amina Mohammed at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, held on the Pacific island nation of Palau, the UN warns that sea levels reached their highest level in 2024, rising by nearly six millimetres annually.

The report highlights that in low-lying deltas such as those found in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Dhaka, the primary threat is human displacement, with over 14 million people at immediate risk of losing their homes to permanent inundation. While a specific deadline for these catastrophic events was not given, Assistant Secretary-General Navid Hanif emphasized that rising sea levels pose a systemic threat, affecting not just coastal regions but also health, food security, human rights, and cultural identity.

The impacts of melting glaciers and ice sheets, along with warming waters, extend beyond the coastline, posing risks to health, food security, and cultural heritage. Glaciers in the Himalayas, referred to as the "Third Pole," could contribute to flooding if they continue to melt or slide down at a rapid pace. This scenario could lead to severe flooding within the next 15 to 20 years, followed by droughts that threaten crops and food security, creating massive risks for the region.

Globally, approximately 770 million people, or nearly one in every ten individuals, live in coastal areas less than five metres above the high-tide line and are already facing significant risks. Infrastructure worth at least $1.8 trillion worldwide is endangered by sea level rise-related threats. The UN report stresses that while island nations are most directly affected, the issue does not discriminate by geography, affecting high-income cities such as Miami, New York, and Guangzhou, where the financial exposure of coastal infrastructure could reach $2 trillion to $3.5 trillion.