Venice, the picturesque Italian city known for its canals, gondolas, and historic charm, is synonymous with the dangers of rising waters. However, Venice isn’t the only city facing this existential threat. Across the world, other major cities are also sinking due to a combination of rising sea levels, land subsidence, and human activity.
1. Bangkok, Thailand
This vibrant capital is sinking at an alarming rate—some estimates suggest up to one centimeter per year. With much of Bangkok sitting barely one meter above sea level, experts warn that without significant intervention, large parts of the metropolis, if not all, could be underwater by 2030, according to The Guardian.
2. Miami, Florida
According to Jeff Goodell, “Miami as we know it today — there’s virtually no scenario under which you can imagine it existing at the end of the century,” said Business Insider. With an elevation averaging just six feet above sea level, Miami is already experiencing more frequent “king tides” that flood streets even on sunny days. Scientists warn that by 2050, large city sections could be regularly submerged, making Miami one of the most at-risk coastal metropolises in the U.S.
3. Alexandria, Egypt
The great city founded by Alexander the Great keeps sinking yearly. According to the UN climate panel, “the sea will rise by one meter.” Then, it will swallow “a third of the ultra-fertile land of the Nile Delta, and historic cities like Alexandria will be flooded.”
4. Jakarta, Indonesia
This city is sinking faster than almost any other city worldwide, with some areas dropping by up to 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) per year. Nearly 40% of Jakarta already sits below sea level, and severe flooding is becoming more frequent, threatening millions of residents. In response, the Indonesian government has relocated the capital to Nusantara on Borneo Island, acknowledging that Jakarta’s long-term survival is uncertain.
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
Factors like groundwater extraction, the loss of wetlands, and the compaction of the soil cause the natural sinking of this city. Over the years, New Orleans has sunk by over a meter (3 feet), and with hurricane season growing more intense due to climate change, the risk of catastrophic flooding is ever-present.
6. Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos is highly vulnerable to coastal flooding. It is situated on the Atlantic coast and built on a series of islands and lagoons. The city’s population has ballooned in recent decades, putting immense pressure on its infrastructure and natural resources. Climate change is also pushing the sea level higher, making the threat of flooding even more imminent.
7.Rotterdam, Netherlands
With this being the Netherlands’ second-largest city, they are fighting a constant battle against the forces of nature, and much of the city sits below sea level. Over the centuries, Rotterdam has relied on an extensive network of dikes, dams, and seawalls to protect it from the encroaching waters of the North Sea.
8. Dhaka, Bangladesh
The city, which is home to over 20 million people, is located on low-lying land near the Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna rivers, making it especially vulnerable to flooding and rising sea levels. Some areas are sinking by up to 1.2 centimetres (0.5 inches) annually.
9. Houston, Texas
Houston is already prone to flooding, but the city’s land is sinking at an alarming rate—some estimates suggest it’s sinking by up to 1.9 centimeters (0.7 inches) per year in some areas. Houston’s future is uncertain, with large parts of the city at risk of permanently submerging in the coming decades.
10.Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
With the rising tides of the Saigon River and the South China Sea, this city might be in real danger of sinking. It is sinking at a rate of around 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) per year. Experts warn that Ho Chi Minh City could see large urban areas submerged in just a few decades without urgent action to manage water use and bolster flood defenses.
11. Virginia Beach, Virginia
One of the loved cities along the Atlantic coast, it is sinking up to 3.5 millimeters (0.14 inches) per year. At the same time, sea levels along the Virginia coastline are rising at one of the fastest rates on the U.S. East Coast, making the area increasingly prone to coastal flooding and storm surges.
What Can Be Done To Save These Cities?
These cities aren’t forsaken to doom and can be saved with the right amount of effort. By implementing sustainable urban planning, improving drainage systems, reducing groundwater extraction, and investing in flood defences, these cities will likely be around for a long time. While Venice remains the poster child of a sinking city, this is a global crisis that requires urgent action.
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