A chilling report has revealed which cities could be submerged in water in less than three decades.
If you are not directly affected by rising sea levels, or suffer from water shortages, it’s could be more difficult to notice the impact of climate change.
But as the planet gets warmer, sea levels rise. And this will ultimately lead to cities, primarily coastal cities, sinking further and further into the sea every year.
Research organisation Climate Central used data from reports by The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to assess the impact.
Which cities could be underwater by 2050?
1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Netherlands is sinking, and it’s no surprise – its lowest point is 22ft is below sea level. The Netherlands are part of the Low Countries, as they sit low, flat and close to the North Sea.
But although the Dutch are known for their flood defence techniques, sea levels are currently rising more than twice as fast than they were in the 20th century.
2. Peterborough, United Kingdom
Large areas of Peterborough and the surrounding Cambridgeshire will be affected by rising sea levels as the River Nene, which goes into the North Sea.
In fact, a sea level rise and coastal flood map projects that many areas, including Wisbech, Ramsey, Chatteris and Manea, could be in danger of flooding.
This may make the city inhabitable.
3. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Most areas of Ho Chi Minh City, especially in the areas of the flat, heavily built-up marshland of Thủ Thiêm in its eastern districts, are at risk of being submerged.
In 2019, it was reported that the city is currently sinking at a rate of 16.2mm, and most of the southern provinces in Vietnam could be flooded by 2050.
4. Venice, Italy
The city is sinking by around two millimeters every year.
Even though it is sinking, it is facing a double whammy as parts of the city faces being submerged underwater due to severe flooding, and climate change is likely to increase the frequency of high tides that will submerge it.
5. Bangkok, Thailand
In Thailand, more than 10% of the citizens live on land that might be submerged by 2050.
The Thai capital sits around 1.5 meters above sea level, but is sinking.
Coupling this with the fact it sits on very dense clay soil, this means that even by 2030, some of its coastal Tha Kham and Samut Prakan areas could be underwater
6. Basra, Iraq
The main port city of Basra sits on the river Shatt al-Arab, which flows into the Persian gulf.
However, the city is also surrounded by a network of canals and streams so Basra is especially vulnerable to a rise in sea levels which could submerge the city.
7. New Orleans, United States
New Orleans is sinking at around two inches per year. Roughly 50% of the greater New Orleans area is beneath sea level.
But combined with current estimated rates of sea level rise of the Gulf Coast (a 30-year average of 14 to 18 inches), much of New Orleans and neighboring bayou towns along the Louisiana coast are at risk of being submerged by the year 2050.
8. Kolkata, India
Monsoon season could sink this south Asian city, and new research suggests that by 2050, all of it and its suburbs will be at risk of annual flooding.
This will affect many more million people than previously believed, and could lead to a mass displacement.
9. Miami, United States
Some researchers have suggested that Miami will be 60% underwater by the year 2060.
As the sea water rises at a dramatic rate, it is predicted that by 2040, sea levels are expected to be 10 to 17 inches higher than the levels in the year 2000.
10. Shanghai, China
Shanghai is one of China’s most developed and richest cities, but it has been sinking into the mud for at least 100 years.
It suffers from serious land subsidence, with an average rate of 22.94 mm/year from 1921 to 2007.
And by 2050, the median relative sea level rise is projected to be between 45 cm and 50 cm.
The Yangtze Delta where Shanghai sits, as well as the Pearl River Delta, are extremely vulnerable to flooding, which is worrying if you account for the amount of people living on the low-lying land.
11. Alexandria, Egypt
Reports predict that global sea levels could rise by as much as 68 cm (27 inches) by 2050, flooding parts of Alexandria and causing saltwater intrusion into the groundwater.
The city sits on the western edge of the Nile River delta, which makes it prone to flooding.
12. Malé, Maldives
By 2050, around 80% of the island could become uninhabitable.
The city, which sits on the Indian Ocean, has been aware of the threat of rising sea levels, and has even reportedly begun building a floating city to deal with it.
But rising sea levels still pose a serious problem and could submerge the city.
13. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A report from the UN states that by 2050, around 5% of Rio de Janeiro and Santos could be submerged due to significant threats from flooding.
Over 70 million people in expanding flood zones are at risk, and the city might see a sea-level rise of 21cm (8 inches) by 2050.
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