Sinking Cities

Sea levels are on the rise worldwide, putting several major cities at risk of being submerged. Global warming can be challenging to comprehend if you're not directly affected by rising sea levels, water shortages, or wildfires. It may all seem abstract. In this video, we will explore the top nine cities that could be underwater by 2030, with the most surprising ones at the top. Make sure to stay till the end. Let's start with number nine: Savannah, USA. Situated in a hurricane-prone area, the historic city of Savannah, Georgia, faces the threat of being engulfed by the sea from all sides. The Savannah River in the north and the Ogeechee River in the south could overflow into the nearby marshland during hurricanes and flash floods. By 2050, the city is projected to experience flood levels that historically occur once per century on an annual basis. The impact may be even more severe. Moving on to number eight: Georgetown, Guyana. For centuries, Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, has relied on a massive 280-mile-long seawall for protection against storms. This is because most of the country's coastline is between 0.5 and 1 meter below high tide. Around 90 percent of Guyana's population resides on the coast, making it crucial for Georgetown's central areas to enhance their seawall to prevent substantial damage. At 7, Bangkok, Thailand, a recent study conducted in 2020 revealed that Bangkok is at high risk of being severely affected by global warming in the near future. The capital city of Thailand is situated only 1.5 meters above sea level, and similar to Venice, it is experiencing sinking, but at a much faster rate of approximately two to three centimeters per year. Furthermore, Bangkok is built on dense clay soil, which further increases its vulnerability to flooding. By 2030, it is projected that a significant portion of the coastal areas, including Tarcam and Summer Prakan, could be submerged, along with the main airport, Suvarnabhumi International. Moving on to number 6, Kolkata, India, much of West Bengal has thrived for centuries due to its fertile landscape. However, as depicted in the map, this has now become a major cause for concern. Similar to Ho Chi Minh city, Kolkata and its surrounding areas could face challenges during the monsoon season, as there is limited land for rainwater runoff. The climate map from Climate Central shows that the eastern districts of Ho Chi Minh City, especially the flat and heavily built-up Marshland area of 2tm, are at the highest risk of flooding. Additionally, the city will face increasing threats along the Mekong Delta. While the central area of Ho Chi Minh City itself is not expected to be submerged by 2030, it will become more vulnerable to flooding and tropical storms. In the near future, Venice, Italy faces a dual threat of rising sea levels and sinking land. The city already experiences severe flooding, and climate change is likely to increase the frequency of high tides that submerge it. Similar to New Orleans, Venice has flood defense systems in place, but as the crisis worsens, maintaining these systems will become more challenging and costly. In New Orleans, USA, the map shows the city's levee system, indicated by the sharp, thick gray borders around the center. These levees serve as protective barriers against the growing red area from Lake Moreepas In the northern region and from Lake Salvador to little Lake in the southern region, New Orleans would face severe threats from rising sea levels if it weren't for the existing defenses. However, even with these defenses in place, the damage would still be catastrophic. On the map, both the Biloxi and Gene Lafitte Wildlife preserves appear to be highly vulnerable as they are almost completely submerged. In the foreign city of Basra, Iraq's main port city, it lies in the Chateau Arab, a massive and wide river that flows into the Persian Gulf. Due to its complex system of canals, streams, and neighboring marshland, Basra and its surrounding areas are particularly susceptible to rising sea levels. To make matters worse, Basra already suffers significantly from waterborne diseases, so increased flooding poses even greater threats. Lastly, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, one can understand why they are referred to as the low countries. Both Amsterdam and the cities of Rotterdam and the Hague are located in low, flat areas.