Rising sea levels mean 'rare' severe flooding will become the norm in Cork and Dublin

Flooding at The Lee Fields, Cork City on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Rare major flooding events are likely to become more regular in the future, scientists have warned. Picture: Larry Cummins

Rising sea levels in Ireland will lead to previously rare severe flooding becoming the norm unless reduced emissions come hand in hand with adaptation measures, scientists have said.

Data from Cork and Dublin show incontrovertible evidence that sea levels are rising around coastal areas, due to a combination of global warming of the oceans, as well as local factors.