UN report warns of mass displacement in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Dhaka

A United Nations report warns of a severe climate crisis in South Asia, projecting that approximately 14 million people in low-lying cities, including Mumbai, Kolkata, and Dhaka, face imminent displacement due to rising sea levels. The report, released by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, highlights that a record 6mm increase in sea levels in 2024 has intensified these risks.

Beyond coastal flooding, the report warns of the melting Himalayan glaciers, which have turned South Asia into a ‘third pole.’ Experts predict that glacier melt could lead to severe flooding within the next 15 to 20 years, followed by prolonged droughts that threaten regional food security and agricultural stability. The rising waters and changing climate patterns are already impacting urban infrastructure, energy grids, and groundwater resources.