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A chilling report has revealed 13 cities that could end up underwater by 2050. Sea levels are continuing to rise and major cities are at risk of sinking below the surface in the next 25 years. Studies have shown that this impact of climate change is primarily impacting coastal cities and it could result in our world looking very different in the decades to come.
Here’s a list of the 13 cities that are in particular danger of disappearing.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Netherlands is part of the Low Countries, which sit low, flat, and close to the North Sea. The country is so low, in fact, that its lowest point is a whopping 22 ft below sea level. With rising levels, this leaves Amsterdam exposed and at risk of falling below the surface.
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK
The area is impacted by the rising levels of the River Nene, which feeds into the North Sea. In the future, this could make the city unlivable.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
A lot of the areas in Ho Chi Minh City are heavily built-up marshland, which are all at risk. A study revealed that the city is sinking by 16.2mm a year and the majority of the southern Vietnamese provinces could be underwater in the next 25 years.
Venice, Italy
Venice is in a tricky position as it is sinking by 2mm a year. It also battles severe flooding which is likely to get worse due to the impact of climate change.
Bangkok, Thailand
The city is currently 1.5 meters above sea level but it is sinking and more than 10% of citizens in the country live on land that could be underwater in the next 25 years.
Basra, Iraq
The city is surrounded by canals and streams which make it very vulnerable to rising sea levels which could flood the city in the coming years.
New Orleans, US
This city is sinking by about two inches every year, with about half of the area already sitting below sea level.
Kolkata, India
Kolkata is particularly affected by the monsoon season which could sink the city by 2050.
Miami, US
Some studies suggest that the Floridan city will be 60% submerged by 2060. It’s also predicted that by 2040, the sea levels will be 10 to 17 inches higher than at the turn of the century.
Shanghai, China
This city has been sinking progressively for the last 100 years. The area is also vulnerable to flooding, which is concerning considering the number of people who are living on the low-lying land.
Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandria sits on the edge of the Nile River delta, which causes the city to be prone to flooding. As sea levels rise, this could become an increasing problem by 2050.
Malé, Maldives
It’s predicted that by 2050, a whopping 80% of the island could be uninhabitable. Rising sea levels could sink Malé, which is vulnerable as it sits on the Indian Ocean.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The city sits in an expanding flood zone, with over 70 million residents at risk. According to reports, Rio de Janeiro could see their sea level rise by eight inches in the next 25 years.
As the oceans rise, it seems that no corner of the globe is exempt from the threat of submersion. Let’s hope our fancy human brains can come up with something to save these stunning cities. Or maybe we’ll all be diving to work in scuba gear. Either way, the future will definitely be an interesting splash.
