Two uninhabited islands in the Indonesian South Sumatra province has completely disappeared underwater as a result of rising sea levels caused by global warming. This was reported today by the Straits Times, quoting data from the local environmental forum, TASS reported.
“Betet and Gundul Islands are now 1-3 meters below sea level,” said NGO leader Khairul Sobri.
“Unless emergency action is taken in relation to global warming, four more islands within the province are at risk of extinction,” the expert warned.
He noted that one of these islands, Salah Namao, is still habitable, though since the 1990s, locals have gradually begun to abandon it, main reason being the sea levels rise. According to him, the already extinct Betet Island had previously a national nature reserve, recognized by UNESCO.
Indonesia is located in the world’s largest archipelago with nearly 18 thousand islands.
