MAJOR areas in Letterkenny and East Donegal could be under water by 2030 if the current rate of global warming is not slowed down.

A leading climate research group, Climate Central, has produced a series of maps detailing the harsh reality of how Donegal could be impacted by rising sea levels.

Many parts of  Donegal are impacted as the county’s coastline is expected to creep into land and towns.

Most notably, the main N14 road into Letterkenny will be partially underwater while the Neil T Blaney Road will be inaccessible.

 Donegal Airport will be underwater while Dunfanaghy and Lifford are set to lose major parts of their towns.

The Climate Central group, an independent body of leading scientists and researchers based in New Jersey, USA, has predicted that Letterkenny will be detrimentally affected.

Just off the dual carriageway will impacted with the NCT Centre, Boals Goals Astro Turf Pitch, Johnston’s Caravans and Archvew Lodge Nursing home predicted to be underwater.

From the Dry Arch Roundabout, Bonagee Football Club, Bonagee Business Park, Donaghy Motor Homes and Kelly’s Toyota will be submerged by water.

The Pole Star Roundabout will be covered with all four lanes partially blocked off by water. The Neil T Blaney Road will be left inaccessible.

Aldi, Stateside Restaurant, Patrick Gildea Hairdressing and other businesses along the road will be flooded, while the Industrial Parks will escape without flooding, but will not be able to be accessed from the one way system.

The back of the Industrial Park will be flooded with water reaching back as far as the Oldtown Road.

In other areas, Letterkenny Rugby Club and the nearby golf driving range will be completely covered, while Letterkenny Golf Club will lose many greens to Lough Swilly.

Outside the town, The Big Isle will be submerged while the bottom of the dual carriageway will be inaccessible.

Heading towards Manorcunningham, the areas close to the Lough Swilly will be flooded, but Newtowncunningham is set to be severely impacted as parts of the main Letterkenny road will be flooded with water hitting the Main Street.

Facilities such as Naomh Colmcille GAA Club, Moyle National School, Coyle’s Bar and Restaurant, Kernan’s Spar, Newtown Tyre Centre and Sharkey’s Signs are all predicted to be submerged.

The rise in the sea level will also impact border areas such Burnfoot, Bridgend and Burt.

Looking at East Donegal, all areas close to the River Foyle are set to be impacted. The road leading into St Johnston from Carrigans is expected to be flooded while Kildrum Football Pitch, St Johnston Cricket Club and some of the residential areas close to the main street will be completely submerged.

The road from St Johnston to Lifford via Porthall will be covered in water just after Maggie’s Tavern, while the main Letterkenny to Lifford Road will be flooded from Rossgier to the Murlog Junction. St Patrick’s National School will be flooded with risks also to Murlog Chapel.

Parts of Lifford will be completely cut off with The Roughan expected to be submerged resulting in the loss of Naomh Padraig GAA grounds and the Green Brae pitches.

The River Finn will encroach onto lands beside it from Lifford to Castlefin but the towns of Castlefin, Killygordon, Stranolar are expected to be unchanged.

Donegal’s popular tourist locations are also under threat as Carrigart beach is set to expand while parts Ards Friary and Ards Forest Park and Marble Hill are at risk of being submerged by rising sea levels.

Dunfanaghy will also look very different with the main street set to be partially wiped out by the bay.

The coastline is set up swallow up parts Gortahork with the Ostan Loch Altan falling victim to the sea levels, while major areas close to Gweedore’s sealine will be covered.

In Carrickfinn, the Donegal Airport is at risk of being wiped out as sea levels are predicted to cover the building and the run way.

The coastline is at risk of making Arranmore smaller as almost all low lying ares of the island are expected to experience flooding.