India, July 29 -- India could lose 6.6 per cent of its rice yield for every 1degC rise in global mean temperature, a new study estimates.

The estimate is more than three times higher than previous projections, raising concerns for a country where rice feeds about two-thirds of the population.

The study found that temperatures above 30degC are the main driver of warming-linked rice yield losses, especially during the crop's reproductive stages.

South and Southeast Asia face some of the steepest projected losses because of high rice cultivation and growing exposure to extreme heat.

India could lose 6.6 per cent of its rice yield for every 1 degree Celsius (degC) rise in global mean temperature, according to a new study. The estimate is ...