New Delhi, Dec 3 (UNI) Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said that Mumbai is under no threat from rising sea level.
During Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, nominated member Dr Rajendra Jadhav asked if the government has undertaken any study of its own to identify areas at risk of submersion, especially the city of Mumbai.
During a discussion on the threat to Mumbai owing to rising sea levels, the Union Minister said that 10 ports in India, including Chennai, Kandla, Kochi, Vizag and Okha, have sea-level gauges.
He said that from 1876 to 2005, the rise in sea level in Mumbai stands at an average of 0.74 mm.
"Till 2050, total sea level rise is likely to be 3.3 cm," he said.
As per ocean vulnerability maps, Mumbai does not figure in high vulnerability zones.
Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan said the information about Mumbai being at risk of submersion has come from foreign countries, no research has been conducted in India. Most of Mumbai is reclaimed land.
"Whatever we have said is based on long-time data collected by our own scientists. Mumbai is under no risk," the Minister added.
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