Rise in sea level could affect about 50 million people

About 50 million people would be affected if the sea level rises by one metre with people living in East Asia and Pacific region being particularly vulnerable, according to a World Bank survey.

"If the sea water rises by one metre, around 37.2 million people from East Asia and Pacific region will be affected followed by 8.3 million people from Middle East and North Africa," World Bank representative Tapas Paul, head, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) programme said at a media briefing.

"Vietnam is the most vulnerable country for sea level rise," he said quoting the findings from an analytical report based on scientific data.

He said that almost 5.9 million people from South Asia will be affected with one metre rise in sea water level and Bangladesh will be the worst affected country.