Rising sea levels, driven by climate change and the melting of polar ice caps, pose an existential threat to coastal cities around the world.
Many beach cities, especially those situated on low-lying coastlines, are vanishing at an alarming rate.
These cities face increased flooding, erosion, and damage from storm surges, threatening both their physical infrastructure and the livelihoods of millions of people.
Here are 20 beach cities that are rapidly disappearing due to rising sea levels.
1. Miami, Florida (USA)
Miami is one of the most iconic coastal cities in the United States, known for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and stunning skyline.
However, it is also one of the most vulnerable to climate change. Rising sea levels are causing frequent “sunny day flooding,” where streets and properties flood even when it’s not raining.
This has become especially apparent in Miami Beach, where roads and homes are already experiencing damage from tidal flooding.
If trends continue, entire neighborhoods could be submerged by the end of the century. Miami’s tourism-dependent economy is also under threat, as it is heavily reliant on beachfront properties and luxury real estate.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana (USA)
New Orleans is situated below sea level, which makes it incredibly susceptible to flooding even in normal weather conditions.
While the city has historically managed flooding through a complex system of levees and pumps, rising sea levels and more extreme storms caused by climate change are making this system less effective.
The city’s famous French Quarter and other historical sites, such as the Garden District, face the risk of being engulfed by water.
The combination of sinking land and rising seas is a ticking time bomb for New Orleans, and it may soon be forced to invest heavily in new infrastructure or face even greater damage.
3. Venice, Italy
Venice has long been synonymous with canals, gondolas, and breathtaking architecture. Unfortunately, its low-lying position and reliance on water-based infrastructure make it particularly vulnerable to climate change.
Venice has been sinking for centuries due to natural and human-induced factors, but rising sea levels and more frequent flooding are accelerating this process.
In recent years, “Acqua Alta” (high water) events have become increasingly severe, with the city experiencing more regular and devastating floods.
As the city continues to sink, historical landmarks, such as St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, could eventually disappear beneath the waves if action isn’t taken.
4. Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia’s sprawling capital, faces one of the fastest rates of subsidence in the world. Many parts of the city are sinking by up to 10 cm per year, largely due to excessive groundwater extraction and the rising sea levels of the Java Sea.
As the land sinks, the city becomes more prone to flooding, with large parts of Jakarta already experiencing regular inundation during the rainy season.
Jakarta’s government has proposed an ambitious plan to move the capital to a new location on the island of Borneo, but whether this will be enough to stave off the looming crisis remains to be seen.
5. The Maldives
The Maldives, an archipelago of over 1,000 islands in the Indian Ocean, is one of the countries most at risk from rising sea levels.
The islands’ average elevation is only 1.5 meters above sea level, making them extremely vulnerable to flooding.
With the global temperature rise melting polar ice caps, the Maldives faces the real prospect of being completely submerged within the next few decades.
This existential threat has led the Maldivian government to seek international assistance for relocation efforts.
However, this would require immense financial resources, and the cultural and ecological loss would be irreplaceable.
6. Alexandria, Egypt
Alexandria, Egypt’s second-largest city, is located on the Mediterranean coast. As a historical center of trade and culture, Alexandria has been a key city for millennia.
Unfortunately, its coastal location places it at severe risk from rising sea levels, which could flood key infrastructure such as ports and roads.
Rising tides are also accelerating coastal erosion, damaging ancient structures like the Alexandria Library and the Qaitbay Citadel.
The combination of rising sea levels and the city’s history of land subsidence makes Alexandria’s future uncertain unless significant protective measures are taken.
7. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is one of the fastest-growing cities in Southeast Asia, but it’s also facing an escalating threat from rising sea levels.
The city is sinking due to both natural factors (such as subsidence) and human activities (including excessive groundwater extraction).
In addition, Bangkok is situated near the Gulf of Thailand, and rising sea levels are threatening to flood major sections of the city.
This could lead to devastating impacts on the city’s infrastructure, including its famous canals, highways, and airports.
Flooding already disrupts daily life in parts of the city, and without significant investment in flood defenses, much of Bangkok could be lost to the sea.
8. Havana, Cuba
Havana is a culturally rich and historically significant city, with a vibrant tourism industry. But rising sea levels and increasing storm surges are putting the city’s coastal infrastructure in jeopardy.
The famed Malecón, a broad seawall promenade along the coast, has already been damaged by repeated high tides and storms.
Key areas of the city, including Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are also at risk.
Flooding from rising seas could undermine Havana’s economy, with tourism being one of its main sources of income, and the city’s historical landmarks could be permanently damaged or destroyed.
9. Mumbai, India
Mumbai, one of the largest cities in India, sits on the Arabian Sea and is a major financial hub in Asia. However, its low-lying position makes it vulnerable to flooding and coastal erosion.
With a population of over 20 million, the city’s sprawling slums along the coastline are especially at risk.
Mumbai’s iconic landmarks, such as the Gateway of India and Marine Drive, face the threat of rising tides.
Climate change-related extreme weather events, such as cyclones and heavy monsoons, are becoming more frequent, further exacerbating the risk to the city.
If Mumbai does not strengthen its defenses, parts of it may soon become uninhabitable.
10. Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos is one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing cities, located along the Atlantic Ocean. The city’s rapid urbanization, combined with the effects of climate change, has led to increased coastal erosion, flooding, and rising sea levels.
While the city has implemented some coastal protection measures, the constant threat of storm surges and tidal flooding means that much of Lagos’ infrastructure is at risk.
The densely populated areas along the coast, including the slums of Makoko, are highly vulnerable, and millions of people could be displaced by rising waters in the coming decades.
11. Miami Beach, Florida (USA)
Miami Beach, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, is already grappling with frequent flooding due to rising sea levels.
The city has implemented some measures, such as raising roads and installing pumps, but the persistent flooding is getting worse.
Properties along the coast are at risk of becoming uninhabitable, and the city’s entire real estate market could be destabilized.
As the sea continues to encroach, Miami Beach’s iconic hotels, condos, and tourist attractions may no longer be viable, jeopardizing both the local economy and the city’s vibrant lifestyle.
12. Cairo, Egypt
Cairo, Egypt’s largest city, sits near the Nile Delta, which is especially vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels.
If sea levels rise as expected, much of the fertile Nile Delta could be submerged, displacing millions of people.
Cairo’s infrastructure, including its transportation and housing systems, is ill-equipped to handle the increasing flooding risks.
Furthermore, the city’s water supply could be compromised, as much of it comes from the Nile River.
The long-term survival of Cairo depends on effective mitigation measures to counter the combined threats of rising seas and increasing urbanization.
13. Guayaquil, Ecuador
Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city and an important port on the Guayas River. Located in a region prone to flooding, the city is under growing threat from rising sea levels.
Guayaquil’s rapid urbanization has encroached on vulnerable areas along the river and coastline, where communities are already facing increased flooding.
If sea levels continue to rise, it could disrupt not only the local population but also the city’s important trade routes.
Additionally, the saltwater intrusion could harm local agriculture and water supplies, further compounding the city’s challenges.
14. Manila, Philippines
Manila, the bustling capital of the Philippines, is especially vulnerable to rising sea levels due to its location on a low-lying coastal plain.
With over 12 million people living in the metropolitan area, rising seas threaten both the city’s infrastructure and its dense urban slums, where millions of people live in informal settlements along the coast.
Manila already faces regular flooding, which worsens during the annual monsoon season.
The combined threats of rising seas and extreme weather events could make parts of the city uninhabitable in the near future, displacing millions of people.
15. Charleston, South Carolina (USA)
Charleston is one of the most historically significant cities in the United States, known for its well-preserved architecture and rich history.
Unfortunately, the city is also experiencing the effects of rising sea levels, with some neighborhoods already seeing regular flooding.
Charleston’s waterfront, which attracts millions of tourists each year, is particularly vulnerable, as is its historic district.
With more frequent tidal flooding and the threat of stronger hurricanes, Charleston may be forced to take drastic action to protect its landmarks and residents.
16. Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its colonial-era architecture and its beautiful Caribbean beaches.
However, this vibrant city is at risk due to rising sea levels and increasing storm surges. Cartagena’s coastal areas have seen increasing erosion, which has already caused some of the city’s beaches to vanish.
As a major tourist destination, the loss of its coastline would be devastating to both the local economy and its cultural heritage.
Protecting Cartagena’s waterfront will require significant investments in infrastructure to shield the city from the impact of climate change.
17. Bermuda
Bermuda, a small island in the North Atlantic Ocean, faces rising sea levels that threaten its coastline and infrastructure.
With most of the island’s land just above sea level, rising tides could lead to widespread flooding.
The island’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, and many of its beach resorts and luxury properties could be at risk of damage or disappearance.
Although the island is actively exploring measures to protect its coastline, the long-term survival of Bermuda depends on the global effort to curb emissions and slow the rise in sea levels.
18. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in Africa, with a coastline that attracts millions of visitors each year.
However, rising sea levels are threatening the city’s beaches and the infrastructure along its waterfront.
Parts of the city have already experienced coastal erosion, which could worsen if sea levels continue to rise.
Additionally, Cape Town is facing a water crisis, and the effects of climate change could further strain its already limited resources.
The city must invest in coastal defenses and water conservation measures to protect both its environment and economy.
19. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, with its famous beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema, is under threat from rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
The city’s infrastructure, including roads, resorts, and iconic landmarks like Sugarloaf Mountain, could face damage from flooding and storm surges.
Rio’s tourism-driven economy depends heavily on its beaches, and the loss of this crucial resource would have significant economic consequences.
Rising sea levels may also threaten the city’s slums, where millions of people live along vulnerable coastlines.
20. Sydney, Australia
Sydney is Australia’s largest city, and its beautiful harbor and beaches make it one of the world’s most iconic waterfront destinations.
However, rising sea levels are causing erosion and increasing the frequency of flooding in some coastal areas.
If current trends continue, iconic beaches like Bondi and Manly could see significant changes, threatening both the environment and local tourism industries.
Sydney’s coastal infrastructure, including harbors and waterfront properties, may also face increasing damage, requiring urgent attention to protect the city’s future.
Alicia Richards