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Millions Face Displacement as Seas Rise
1 Sep
Summary
- Millions in Kolkata and Mumbai face immediate displacement risk.
- Global sea levels rose significantly, reaching a record 5.9 mm in 2024.
- Low-income delta cities like Kolkata and Mumbai prioritize human displacement.
A United Nations report highlights that millions in Kolkata and Mumbai are under "immediate risk" of losing their homes due to escalating sea levels and permanent inundation. The report, "Challenges related to sea level rise and ways and approaches to address it," released Monday, indicates that rising seas are currently damaging urban infrastructure, water systems, and transport networks.
The UN Secretary-General's report further details that in South Asian cities, particularly Kolkata, Mumbai, and Dhaka, the most significant impact is human displacement. Over 14 million individuals face the threat of permanent inundation. This contrasts with high-income cities like Miami and New York, where the primary risk is to assets valued in trillions of dollars.
Between 2014 and 2023, global sea level rose by 4.7 mm annually, reaching a record 5.9 mm in 2024 due to exceptional ocean warming. This ongoing rise intensifies coastal flooding, erodes coastlines, and degrades ecosystems, posing acute risks to nearly 10% of the world's population living in low-lying coastal areas. The report stresses the need for proactive adaptation planning and financing.
