‘Indian Ocean sea-level is rising faster, but it is not alarming’

The water level in the Indian Ocean is rising faster than other oceans but it is alarming, said Mr Shailesh Nayak, Secretary to the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Talking to The Hindu on the sidelines of a seminar on water resources at NITK Mr Nayak said the rise in water level is not necessarily due to global warming.

The water level was rising 3 mm to 6 mm per year but added that it was not linear rise or uniform.

Replying to a query, he said “We do not think the rising of Indian Ocean sea level is serious. We need to understand why it is so. Our studies show there is some kind of variability in the system. “It is not necessary that we give everything to global warming. There is variability in all systems as in monsoon.”

Projections

With the rise in sea level, sediment pattern, erosion and deposition patterns would change which needed better understanding. The Ministry of Earth Sciences is trying to make projections so that the department can understand the changes that may happen by 2030 or 2050. This would enable authorities invest in the coast suitably.

Secondly, the projections were being made to understand what will happen if sea level changes by 50 cm by 2050. His ministry was already looking at water cycle and changing patterns.