Sea level rise (SLR) has been recognised as the most serious global threat. Continuing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are increasing global temperatures, causing thermal expansion of ocean water, and accelerating the melting of mountain glaciers and ice sheets, eventually raising sea levels. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has projected a global mean SLR of 1.3 to 1.6 m by 2100 under the high-emission scenario. Rising sea levels are a major hazard to coastal cities worldwide, including Indian coastal cities. Such cities in India have been economic hubs since the colonial era, with natural ports, religious monuments, cultural centres, and biodiversity or eco-sensitive hotspots. Continuing SLR will have a severe impact on these cities’ resilience. There is, therefore, a need for information on inundation due to SLR irrespective of the spatial extent to frame suitable adaptation and risk mitigation strategies.
To address this need and to sensitise stakeholders on the extent of the problem, we have prepared a portfolio of SLR-induced inundation maps for selected Indian coastal cities and towns. This report presents critical information on SLR changes under historical and future climate scenarios, as well as inundation maps for 15 Indian coastal cities and towns. This information and the maps are aimed to serve as a valuable resource for research scholars and city planners and development officials involved in decision-making.
The results of this study emphasise the importance of considering localised SLR-induced inundation in informing a wide range of stakeholders on resilience actions in coastal cities. Further, such information would be useful in developing appropriate adaptation and risk mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of SLR, protect coastal communities, and promote sustainable coastal development in the face of climate change.
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