More than 80% of Indians live in climate vulnerable districts

More than 80% of Indians live in climate vulnerable districts, and Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Bihar are states most vulnerable to extreme climate events such as floods, drought and cyclones in India, said a study brought by a New Delhi based think-tank.

Overall, 27 Indian states and Union territories are vulnerable to extreme climate events, which often disrupt the local economy and displace communities, said the Climate Vulnerability Index brought out by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).

Dhemaji and Nagaon in Assam, Khammam in Telangana, Gajapati in Odisha, Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, Sangli in Maharashtra, and Chennai in Tamil Nadu are among India’s most climate vulnerable districts, it said.

Southern India is the most vulnerable to extreme climate events and their compounding impact, followed by the eastern, western, northern, north-eastern and central zones.

This will help developing countries to strengthen adaptation mechanisms against such extreme climate events and also accelerate the low-carbon transition. The existing commitments made by developed countries are insufficient and yet to be met.