Migration, often driven by economic opportunities or conflicts, is increasingly influenced by climate-induced factors, particularly prolonged droughts, according to a new study.
This finding is particularly pertinent to India, where nearly two-thirds of the landscape experienced drought conditions from 2020 to 2022.
Analysing trends across 72 countries over the past 50 years, researchers found that global warming is a significant catalyst for migration, reshaping both rural and urban landscapes as communities adapt to harsh conditions.
"We find that increased drought and aridity have a significant impact on internal migration, particularly in the hyper-arid and arid areas of Southern Europe, South Asia, Africa and the Middle East and South America," the authors said in the study published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
As droughts intensify, people are more likely to migrate to urban areas, which, despite their challenges, are perceived as more stable, said Marco Percoco, Director of the GREEN Research Center at Bocconi University.
He emphasised that for many, migration is seen as the "least bad option" in the face of environmental pressures.
The authors used census data from 1960 to 2016.
Rural communities reliant on agriculture are hit hardest, as dwindling water supplies and drying soils lead to lost livelihoods, said the study.
The shift to cities is not just a survival strategy; it also strains urban infrastructure as cities become magnets for those fleeing rural hardships. The authors stressed on the importance of a holistic approach to tackle climate-induced migration, advocating for improved support systems in urban areas and policies that help rural communities adapt.
Rural areas, especially those dependent on agriculture, were found to be the hardest hit because of climate change. The communities in these regions are most likely to experience the effects of worsening droughts, the researchers said.
In areas where farming is the primary income source, drying soils and diminishing water supplies lead directly to lost livelihoods, prompting migration to urban centers.
Further exploring these challenges in India, a report titled "Climate and Health: Evidence for Current Practices in Resilience & Adaptation," prepared by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), highlighted that extreme weather events, such as flooding and drought, also complicate food distribution.
Damaged or inaccessible roads and waterways hinder the transport of food supplies, exacerbating food security issues.
To address these challenges, the report, which was released recently, emphasises the need for proactive measures to ensure food safety, maintain nutritional quality, and secure reliable distribution networks amid climate change.
