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Andhra Pradesh’s 1,030-km-long coastline, often celebrated for its economic potential, is now at the centre of growing environmental concern. The Draft State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) 2025-2030 warns that the state could see sea levels rise by nearly 20 cm in the next 25 years and about 62 cm by the end of the century. The study attributes this change to global warming and projects it against a likely increase of 1.5-2°C in air temperature.
A Threat Looming Over Coastal Districts
The impact of rising seas is already visible in several locations, particularly along the combined West and East Godavari districts, where land is being lost year after year. According to the SAPCC, the problem will be more acute in Nellore, Guntur, and West Godavari, where sea levels are expected to climb about 0.20 metres by 2050, a relatively higher rate compared to other regions in the state.
These projections are based on assessments from multiple agencies, including the India Meteorological Department and NASA. The report cautions that such changes, if left unaddressed, will have long-term and irreversible consequences for communities living along Andhra Pradesh’s low-lying coast.
Displacement and Human Costs
The SAPCC, prepared with the assistance of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) and KPMG, outlines a grim scenario for population displacement. If global temperatures rise by 1°C, an estimated 0.30 million people in the state could be forced to move. The figure is projected to rise to 0.65 million at 1.5°C, and up to 1.29 million if temperatures increase beyond 2°C.
The Krishna and Godavari delta regions are identified as among the most vulnerable. With many villages situated within two metres of the coastline, a sea-level rise of around 0.80 metres could inundate nearly 43% of these areas, putting 282 villages at risk of being submerged.
Agriculture and Livelihoods at Risk
Apart from human displacement, rising seas will have profound implications for agriculture. The SAPCC estimates that close to 35,000 hectares of fertile farmland across coastal Andhra Pradesh will turn saline in the coming decades. This change could significantly reduce agricultural productivity, leaving thousands of farmers grappling with declining incomes.
The report warns that such changes will push more households into poverty, especially in communities heavily dependent on farming and fishing. With sea levels already rising at an average rate of 3 mm a year along the Indian coastline, the need for comprehensive climate strategies in Andhra Pradesh is more urgent than ever.
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