Report was published by Bengaluru-based think tank, Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) and it presents information on changes in sea levels for 15 Indian coastal cities and towns.

Sea Level Rise (SLR)

• SLR is the gradual increase in average height of world’s oceans and seas. 
• Between 1901 and 2018, average worldwide sea level rose by 15 to 25 cm, reached record high in 2022 and is predicted to further rise by 15 mm per year by 2100.

Key Highlights of Report

• Mumbai witnessed maximum SLR (4.44 cm) between 1987 to 2021. 
• More than 10% of land in Mumbai, Yanam, and Thoothukudi would be submerged by 2040.
• Increasing SLR trend was observed for Mumbai, Kochi, and Mormugao on west coast and Haldia, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai on east coast. 

Factors responsible for SLR

• Ocean Thermal Expansion: Oceans absorb >90% of heat trapped by accumulating GHGs.
• Ice melting: Melting of ice from glaciers, ice caps, and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.

Impacts of SLR

• Loss of beaches and coastal habitats due to increased coastal erosion.
• Freshwater salinisation contaminating drinking water and reducing agricultural output.
• Loss of coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes, and coral reefs affecting fisheries and biodiversity.