Bhubaneswar: Millions of people in Kolkata and Mumbai face an “immediate risk” of losing their homes due to rising sea levels and permanent inundation, according to a report by the United Nations.
The UN Secretary-General’s report, titled “Challenges related to sea level rise and ways and approaches to address it,” warned that rising seas are no longer a distant threat and are already affecting communities around the world.
The report said sea levels are rising at an unprecedented pace, with the rate accelerating and posing a major threat to populations in both developed and developing countries.
According to the UN, rising sea levels are already damaging urban infrastructure, water systems, transport networks, energy grids, buildings and groundwater resources.
The consequences extend beyond physical damage, with the report warning that sea-level rise could have far-reaching impacts on human rights, long-term development and financial stability.
For densely populated coastal cities such as Kolkata and Mumbai, the warning highlights the growing need for climate adaptation, resilient infrastructure and long-term planning to protect vulnerable communities.
