South Asia, with India right in the centre, South-East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are likely to face the worst heat from climate change, a study released by the World Bank predicts.
Last year the bank had released a report that estimated that by the end of this century the world would be warmer by 4 degree Celsius, which would severely impact agricultural production, water resources, coastal ecosystems as well as the cities. This is in comparison to the pre-industrialisation days.
The new report predicts that globally a 2 degree Celsius rise in temperature is likely to lead to a 20 per cent dip in water availability. Further, a 4 degree rise will create severe water stress with availability declining by 50 per cent.
In a grim finding, the report suggests that sea levels may rise by 50 cm as early as 2050 and by 100 cm by 2100. This could result in several heavily populated portions of land going under water.
Indians may well have to get used to extreme summers, increased drought as well as increased flooding as precipitation patterns change dramatically.