As the effects of climate change worsen, more and more cities are at risk of disappearing underwater due to a rise in sea level. The most vulnerable are those located on the coast, many of which are also the most densely populated.
According to research conducted by scientists from Climate Central (an independent organization focusing on climate change), about 150 million people may be affected by rising sea levels and therefore be forced to leave their cities which may be permanently flooded by 2050. The research projections were prepared based on satellite readings and machine learning technology that allow the effects of a rise in sea levels to be estimated. The most vulnerable area is coastal Asia which is home to huge conurbations.
Shanghai
This is the financial capital of China and the country’s most populous city. Scientists project that it is particularly vulnerable to ocean flooding as it lies relatively low, similar to the neighboring Jianagsu Province. As Shanghai also lacks any coastal defenses, water may threaten the heart of the city as well as areas around it.
Ho Chi Minh City
According to Climate Central projections, by 2050 all of southern Vietnam may find itself underwater, affecting almost a quarter of the country’s population (20 million people) who inhabit this area, including Ho Chi Minh City. The city, where 8 million people live, is the economic center of Vietnam and has many historical and cultural attractions that may be lost forever.
Bangkok
In Thailand, about 10% of the population lives in areas that may be underwater by 2050. The country’s capital, Bangkok, is particularly at risk with projections indicating that by 2050 it will be almost totally submerged. It has suffered due to floods in the past as the city is laced with canals that make it more vulnerable. Bangkok is not only the commercial center of Thailand but also home to a royal castle and beautiful ancient temples that represent the historical heritage of this Asian state.
Dhaka
Around 17% of Bangladesh is forecast to be submerged by 2050, depriving 20 million people of their homes. This includes the capital, Dhaka, the largest city in the country, which is already threatened by annual coastal floods that will increase over the next decades. Dhaka is home to almost 9 million people including migrants from Myanmar (Rohingya Muslim community).
Jakarta
Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, has already suffered due to excessive flooding that has devastated the city, and, according to estimates, the city will be totally submerged by 2050. The situation is so drastic that the government has decided to relocate 10 million people 100 miles away which will take about 10 years and will cost around US$33 billion.
Mumbai
Mumbai, the richest Indian city and the financial capital of India, is also one of the most populous cities in the world and is home to 20 million people. Scientists project that much of it will be submerged by 2050 as it was built on a series of islands that may soon be wiped out. The research suggests that India should be prepared to relocate the city’s inhabitants elsewhere in the country in the near future.
