Global warming threat: Kochi could sink within 100 years

By NewsGram Staff Writer

"A large part of the coastal areas in Kochi could sink within 100 years," said the scientists of the National Institute of Oceanography.

A recent study by the institution showed that the rise of water level due to global warming could submerge a large part of the coastal areas in Kochi within 100 years.

The research was conducted by scientists R. Mani Murali and P.K. Dinesh Kumar of National Institute of Oceanography.

The scientists also claimed that the rapid growth of the coastal city could create a huge problem regarding coastal environment and would severely impact fishing.

The study showed that the water level is on a rise at 1-2 meters against the globally accepted rise of sea level of 0.5 meters over the coming century.

'For the sea level rise scenarios of 1m and 2m, the total inundation zones were estimated to be 169.11 km per square and 598.83 km per square respectively using Geographic Information System (GIS). The losses of urban areas were estimated at 43 km per square and 187 km per square for the 1m and 2m sea level rise respectively, which is alarming information for the most densely populated state of India,' said the research paper published earlier this year.

'The results obtained conclusively point that sea level rise scenarios will bring profound effects on the land use and land cover classes as well as on coastal landforms in the study region. Coastal inundation would leave ocean front and inland properties vulnerable,' the study further said.

According to the report the city ranks top in environmental violation issues and if this trend continues it will be submerged in coming years..

'With the projected inundation of this magnitude, the coastal zone would be at risk of flooding, where several near shore settlements will be impacted severely. Damages to this coastal city cannot be observed in isolation as it is linked with other regions through economic and cultural ties. Changes will affect the hinterlands too, and chain reactions may follow. Urban planning will be confronted with a number of anticipatory issues, including adaptation strategies,' the report warned.

The report adviced the government to amend its policies and to set up alternative agricultural practice in this area to save Kochi from this fatal disaster.