The areas of Southampton and Hampshire that could be underwater by 2050

Large parts of the city could be flooded, and the coastline completely changed if research by Climate Central is correct.

The organisation is made up of leading scientists and journalists who research climate change and its impact on the public.

It has created an interactive map, using current projections to show which areas of Hampshire and the rest of the country could be lost to rising sea levels by 2050.

How Southampton appears on the map. Picture: Climate Central

The map shows that parts of Southampton, chunks of the New Forest and towns lining the Solent could be underwater in nearly 30 years.

The docks, built on reclaimed land, would be submerged again.

Meanwhile, Northam, St Denys and Ocean Village would disappear beneath the River Itchen.

Across the water, the shoreline of Woolston would be redrawn with much of it being flooded.

If the climate change predictions come true, Totton would be lost beneath the tidal waters of the River Test.

Marchwood and Calshot would fare no better being engulfed by Southampton Water.

How Hampshire and surrounding areas appear on the map. Picture: Climate Central

Lepe, once an important launching post for D-Day and now a popular beauty spot would become part of a widening Solent increasing the distance between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Increasing sea levels would also impact Hampshire towns further east along the coast.

The picturesque River Hamble would wash over part of Hamble-Le-Rice ad Warsash.

However, Climate Central admits the calculations that have led to fears of a nightmare scenario include "some error".

How parts of the New Forest appear on the map. Picture: Climate Central

It says: "These maps incorporate big datasets, which always include some error. These maps should be regarded as screening tools to identify places that may require deeper investigation of risk."

The maps have been based on "global-scale datasets for elevation, tides and coastal flood likelihoods" and "imperfect data is used".

Somewhat comfortingly, Climate Central adds: "Our approach makes it easy to map any scenario quickly and reflects threats from permanent future sea-level rise well.

Parts of Hampshire could be underwater if climate change predictions are correct

"However, the accuracy of these maps drops when assessing risks from extreme flood events.

"Our maps are not based on physical storm and flood simulations and do not take into account factors such as erosion, future changes in the frequency or intensity of storms, inland flooding, or contributions from rainfall or rivers."

But it adds: "Improved elevation data indicate far greater global threats from sea level rise and coastal flooding than previously thought and thus greater benefits from reducing their causes."

It should be noted that these are only projections.