Nearly half of India’s population will reside in areas vulnerable to inland or coastal flooding, Moody’s said in a white paper release on September 26.

The international firm noted that while 622 million people or 44 percent of the population will be prone to inland flooding, another 48 million will be prone to coastal flooding.

Of the 2.7 billion living in vulnerable areas, India will account for a quarter of the population.

India’s neighbours are much worse when it comes to vulnerable populations.

In Bangladesh, the entire population is prone to either inland or coastal flooding, while in the case of Pakistan, three out of five people will be at risk of inland flooding.

“South Asia is the most flood-prone region, with almost 40% of its inhabitants susceptible to inland flooding and just over 5% at risk from coastal flooding at the 100-year return period level,” the paper pointed out.

A study published on the World Economic Forum website notes that climate change is expected to cost $1.7-3.1 trillion per year by 2050.

Experts indicate that the developing world will be at the receiving end of this disruption.