What is happening to villages like Satabhaya in Odisha?

Satabhaya village in Odisha is experiencing severe coastal erosion, forcing its residents to relocate inland to resettlement colonies for safety.

Why are climate refugees in India struggling after relocation?

Relocated climate refugees in India struggle because their new settlements are often too far from their traditional livelihood sources like farms and fishing grounds.

How much of India's coastline is threatened by erosion?

According to a 2022 report, approximately one-third of India's 7,000 km mainland coastline is under threat from erosion.

Home / Environment / India's Coastline Vanishes, Forcing Climate Refugees Inland

India's Coastline Vanishes, Forcing Climate Refugees Inland

7 Jan

•

Summary

Coastal erosion displaces villages, forcing residents inland.
Relocated communities struggle to find new livelihoods.
India's east coast is highly vulnerable to rising sea levels.

India's Coastline Vanishes, Forcing Climate Refugees Inland

Coastal erosion is taking a significant toll on India's shoreline and its inhabitants, particularly in states like Odisha. As villages are swallowed by the sea, residents are forced into resettlement colonies, seeking safety but often losing their livelihoods in the process.

In Odisha's Kendrapara district, the village of Satabhaya saw its residents relocated to Bagapatia starting in 2017-18. While offering security, this move severed connections to farming and fishing. Many displaced individuals have become migrant laborers, describing their new existence as akin to being refugees.

Nationally, a 2022 report indicates a third of India's mainland coastline is at risk. The eastern seaboard is especially vulnerable, with Odisha experiencing erosion along about 25% of its coast between 1990 and 2018. Experts warn that altered monsoon patterns, dams, and cyclonic storms are exacerbating the problem, necessitating targeted, scientifically assessed interventions.