10 cities of world which are sinking, Visit before they disappear?

Due to climate change and human activity, they could disappear by 2100. Climate change is real. Sea levels are rising and global temperatures are increasing. Over 200 medical journals have stressed the catastrophic impact of a 1.5-degree Celsius global temperature rise. A study in  Nature Climate Change warns that extreme sea levels will become more common by the century's end, with a rise of 1 to 2 meters by 2100, according to Fodor's Travel.

The high population density in many areas of the world has caused a future problem to be put on the table, which will affect millions of people, especially in certain areas of Asia.

Rising seas threaten cities' future

We’re discussing the direct effects of overpopulation in certain Chinese regions, like Shanghai and Beijing, In India places like Mumbai, and Kolkata which could experience collapses in the coming years, according to recent studies.

Reports say the most densely populated areas could sink below sea level in the next 100 years. The expansion of large cities has brought industrialization and urban development to serve new residents.

The main problems are the weight of buildings, transport network construction and use, and groundwater extraction for the population's demand. Additionally, climate change and rising sea levels have caused Shanghai to sink by about three meters, with no end in sight. This has led to economic losses of more than 7.5 billion yuan (970 million dollars).

Researchers recently showed that the American city is sinking 0.010 to 0.020 centimetres towards the sea each year. This, along with rising sea levels and stronger storms, could increase the risk of flooding.

Parts of the city are built on artificial land (filling in water with sediment), but most of the skyscrapers are built on solid bedrock; the city's sinking is due to geology, not construction.

However, this is not the case for many other cities around the world. From Jakarta to New Orleans, many cities are sinking faster than the rising tides, and here's why.

Every year, the average global sea level rises by about 0.2 centimetres. In some areas of Jakarta, the annual rise can reach 25 centimetres, as the city is sinking, not just the tides rising.

"Add these two effects together," explains Pietro Teatini, a civil engineer at the University of Padua in Italy and chairman of UNESCO's International Initiative on Land Subsidence. "This is relative sea level rise: sea level rise plus land subsidence."

 The Maldives, the lowest-lying country in the world, is at risk of disappearing, so it's planning a floating city as a means of survival. But there are plenty of other cities around the world facing this threat due to rising sea levels and subsidence (over-extraction of groundwater causing the land to sink).

Here's what the world faces losing by 2100 if things don't change

Miami, Florida

The economic think tank Resources for the Future warns that Miami will be the most vulnerable coastal city in the world due to rapidly rising sea levels and porous limestone rocks. Groundwater infiltration causing damage, sunny-day flooding, and high tide flooding are disrupting lives and infrastructure, and it’s likely to get worse.

Sea level in South Florida has risen by 5 inches since 1993 and is expected to rise another 6 inches by 2030. A 6-foot rise by 2100 will result in 1 in 8 Florida properties being underwater, and 94.1% of habitable land will be underwater.

Venice, Italy

The lagoon city faces regular flooding due to high tides and sirocco winds causing Acqua Alta (high tide) that lasts for a few hours. In November 2019, it witnessed the highest water levels in 50 years with 90% of the city flooded. Last year, the city tested its 78 floodgate floodgates, MOSE, designed in the 1980s and under construction since 2003. Scientists and experts argued it’s a short-term solution that will harm the lagoon’s ecosystem.

Venice is sinking at a rate of 0.08 inches annually, exacerbated by rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and groundwater pumping. In 2021, the government banned large cruise ships from sailing through Venice to protect the city from pollution and damage.

Jakarta, Indonesia

Indonesia's capital, is the world's fastest-sinking city, sinking at a rate of 6.7 inches per year. By 2050, 95% of North Jakarta will be submerged, according to researchers. The region has already sunk 2.5 metres in 10 years, with nearly half the city below sea level.

In addition to rising sea levels, the populous city is affected by excessive groundwater pumping. Much of the population relies on groundwater from underground aquifers because piped supply is unreliable. However, excessive extraction causes the land to sink due to pressure changes.

Mumbai, India

Mumbai is at risk of being submerged by 2050, NASA warns. It's one of 12 coastal cities in India threatened by rising sea levels. South Mumbai will be hit the hardest.

 Every year, the city floods during the monsoon season and the IPCC predicts increased rainfall. The city’s temperature is rising and extreme weather events are more common. A 2020 McKinsey India report predicted flash flood intensity to increase by 25% by 2050 and a 0.5 meter sea level rise to affect 2-3 million people living within a kilometer of the coast.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is sinking at a rate of 1 centimetre per year due to heavy rainfall and soft clay soil. Rising water levels and groundwater extraction exacerbate the issue, leading to land subsidence. The National Reform Council has warned that Bangkok could be flooded in less than 15 years.

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Did you know that about a third of the Netherlands is below sea level? The lowest point is 22 feet below sea level. The country has an extensive system of dams, dikes, pumps, and storm surge barriers. But there is another problem: land subsidence.

Rotterdam, already 90% underwater, is sinking at a rate of 1-1.5 cm per year. It is predicted to witness 1-2 meters of sea level rise by 2100, putting it at high risk of flooding due to rising water and sinking land.

Alexandria, Egypt

The historic Egyptian city has treasures buried beneath it, including Cleopatra's palace and the remains of the Pharos lighthouse. Built by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Alexandria has been consumed by the sea for centuries due to earthquakes and tsunamis, causing the ancient coastline to disappear. Now, with rising sea levels (predicted to rise by more than two feet by the end of the century), the lower city is at risk of being submerged again.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Sea level in Virginia Beach is rising at nearly twice the global rate; it is one of the fastest rates on the East Coast, and land subsidence is a major contributing factor. Frequent high tide flooding is common, even without storms. The projected sea level rise could reach 11.8 feet by 2100, submerging the city flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay.

The city has introduced a Sea Level Wise program to mitigate risks and build infrastructure for flooding.

New Orleans, Louisiana

NASA says parts of New Orleans are sinking by 2 inches per year, with 50% of the city already below sea level. After Hurricane Katrina, it improved its flood control system, but with the land sinking and sea levels rising, there is a threat. CNN reports that by 2100, New Orleans will be 8 to 13 feet below sea level.

Lagos, Nigeria

Annual flooding in the Nigerian coastal city is part of everyday life. Coastal erosion and rising sea levels are linked to flooding, and poor urban planning, uncontrolled growth, and inadequate drainage systems worsen the problem.

The low-lying city (less than 2 metres above sea level) may become habitable by the end of this century. A study led by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) states that “sea level rise associated with climate change, estimated to reach 59 cm by 2100, is likely to exacerbate problems of coastal flooding, inundation and seawater intrusion into freshwater sources and ecosystems in Lagos.”

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Floods devastate Vietnam's largest city every year and are getting worse. 45% of the city is less than a metre above sea level, and rapid development and groundwater pumping have caused subsidence. The city has sunk half a metre in the past 25 years and by 2050, parts of Ho Chi Minh City will be submerged.

These are just a few of the many places on the verge of extinction, but they are a good start. Visit these amazing destinations before it's too late!

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