Last summer, Chennai became the world’s first major city in which there was no water for residents to drink. But, as climate change makes flooding and drought more common, the city of 8 million is unlikely to be the last to run dry.

Set to take effect in 2021, the law will require sea-level impact projection studies for state-funded projects.

Proponents see eased barriers for big construction projects, but others say environmental review cutbacks will create climate change risk and be tied up in lawsuits.

Experts say mitigation and adaptation must go hand in hand to address climate change