Rising seas threaten millions in India's major coastal cities

Kolkata and Mumbai, home to tens of millions of people, are increasingly exposed to the threats posed by rising ocean levels, according to United Nations findings. Both cities rank among the world's most at-risk urban centres for climate-related coastal hazards, with infrastructure, livelihoods and residential areas facing mounting pressure from environmental changes.

The threat to these densely populated metros stems from a combination of factors including global sea level rise driven by climate change, local subsidence of land, and coastal erosion. Kolkata, situated in the Ganges Delta in West Bengal, and Mumbai, India's financial capital on the Arabian Sea coast, are particularly vulnerable due to their geography and the concentration of impoverished communities in low-lying areas.

The UN assessment underscores the urgency for Indian authorities to develop comprehensive adaptation and mitigation strategies. Millions of residents, particularly those in informal settlements and economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, lack resources to relocate or fortify their homes against advancing waters.

Experts warn that without coordinated action to address climate change and implement coastal protection measures, the displacement crisis could intensify significantly in coming decades. The situation demands urgent investment in resilient infrastructure, early warning systems and planned relocation programmes to protect vulnerable populations.