United Nations warns sea level rise threatens millions in South Asia

A United Nations report warns that rising sea levels caused by global warming pose a severe threat to millions of people, particularly in low-lying deltas. In South Asia, cities such as Kolkata and Mumbai in India, along with Dhaka in Bangladesh, face significant risks. The report indicates that more than 14 million people are at immediate risk of losing their homes to permanent inundation.

Data released at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau shows that annual sea-level rise reached a record high of nearly six millimetres in 2024. This rise is driven by warming waters and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

Assistant Secretary-General Navid Hanif described sea-level rise as a ‘systemic threat’ that extends beyond coastal erosion to impact health, food security, human rights, and cultural identity. He urged governments to integrate these challenges into their comprehensive planning processes.