India gets set for Mumbai, Kolkata coastal floods

Climate change could result in Kolkata and Mumbai being amongst the top ten port cities of the world exposed to coastal flooding in 2070, with an exposure of estimated 2.54 crores of people and assets worth US$3.85 trillion. A coastline of about 7,500 kms will be at risk in the country due to coastal flooding that may occur as a result of climate change in 2070.

This has been stated in a global study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) in 2007 on ‘Ranking Port Cities with High Exposure and Vulnerability to Climate Extremes’. The report notes that those cities with greatest population exposure to extreme sea levels also tend to be those with greatest exposure to wind damage from tropical and extra tropical cyclones. The report has attempted to estimate the exposure of the world’s large port cities to coastal flooding due to sea level rise and storm surge.

According to the projections made in the Report, The study also claims that the top ten port cities with highest exposure to wind damage are also among the top twenty port cities exposed to present-day extreme sea levels. As per the Report, the risk of impact from the exposure to coastal flooding can be reduced through a range of adaptation strategies including flood and wind protection measures, effective disaster management strategies, and land use practices

According an official release, the Indian Government, on its part, has decided to take concrete steps and measures to meet the challenge of climatic change. It has been implementing various adaptation related programmes in the process of planned economic development. Specific measures taken include coastal protection infrastructure and cyclone shelters, plantation of coastal forests and mangroves. Further, in coastal regions, restrictions have been imposed in the area between 200m and 500m of the high tide line while special restrictions have been imposed in the area up to 200 m to protect the sensitive coastal ecosystems and prevent their exploitation.

The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which was released on 30th June 2008 outlining the strategy to meet the challenge of Climate Change. The National Action Plan advocates a strategy that promotes, firstly, adaptation to Climate Change and secondly, further enhancement of the ecological sustainability of India’s development path. The Action Plan envisages, among many other actions, effective disaster management strategies, strengthening communication networks and disaster management facilities at all levels and protection of coastal areas through focusing on coastal protection and early warning systems.