Indian cities are facing rising threats from floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related problems, according to a new World Bank report. The report, titled "Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India," was released on Tuesday and warns that without timely action, the damage from extreme weather will become much worse in the coming years.

The report says India will need to invest over 2.4 trillion US dollars by 2050 to build climate-resilient and low-carbon infrastructure. This investment will be needed in important areas like housing, public transport, solid waste management, and municipal services.

The report was made in partnership with India’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It clearly states that "annual economic losses from rain-related flooding are currently estimated at 4 billion dollars. These are projected to rise to five billion dollars by 2030 and between 14 and 30 billion dollars by 2070 if no remedial action is taken."

Climate impact growing rapidly

Indian cities have the potential to grow fast and become engines of economic progress. The World Bank report notes that "Indian cities hold tremendous potential as centres of economic growth, with 70 percent of new jobs coming from cities by 2030." However, cities are also growing into areas that are vulnerable to heat and floods.

The report mentions that much of this urban growth is happening in "flood-prone and heat-vulnerable areas." Some of the most at-risk cities include Delhi, Chennai, Surat, and Lucknow, which are already suffering from extreme heat and the effects of urban flooding.

It also highlights a sharp increase in heat stress. "In Delhi, the report highlights risks linked to rising temperatures and urban flooding. Heat stress is also expected to intensify. Between 1983 and 2016, exposure to dangerous heat levels increased by 71 percent in India's 10 largest cities, rising from 4.3 billion to 10.1 billion person-hours per year," the report says.

There is also concern about health impacts. "If emissions continue at current levels, annual heat-related deaths may rise from 144,000 to more than 328,000 by 2050. Around 20 percent of working hours in major Indian cities could be lost due to high heat stress conditions," it adds.

Urgent action and higher investment needed

To deal with these dangers, the World Bank says a massive increase in investment is needed. "To offset these risks, the World Bank estimates that India will need to invest 2.4 trillion dollars by 2050 and 10.9 trillion dollars by 2070 across sectors such as housing, public transport, solid waste management, and municipal services."

But right now, India is spending far less. "India currently spent around 10.6 billion dollars per year from 2011 to 2018. India's current spending on urban infrastructure and services is -0.70 percent of GDP, which is much lower than other countries and must be substantially increased," the report says.

World Bank Country Director for India, Auguste Tano Kouame, said, "This is both a challenge and an opportunity." He warned, "Without timely action, climate risks such as flooding and extreme heat will become much more severe."

The report also makes it clear that government money alone will not be enough. It suggests that more private investment is needed through green bonds, blended finance, and international climate funds. It recommends that urban local bodies should be given more financial power and trained to plan and carry out useful projects.

India’s urban population is growing fast. The report states, "India's urban population stood at 480 million in 2020 and is projected to reach 951 million by 2050 and over 1.1 billion by 2070." To support this growth, India will also need "more than 144 million new urban homes," the report adds.

Flooding is a major concern, and "an estimated investment of 150 billion dollars over 15 years could enable 60 percent of existing Indian cities to implement flood mitigation measures," according to the report.

The report was supported by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, which helps countries prepare for disasters and climate-related risks.

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