As climate change accelerates and human demands on the environment intensify, an increasing number of coastal cities around the world are facing an invisible yet devastating threat: land subsidence.
This phenomenon refers to the gradual sinking of the Earth’s surface, and when combined with sea-level rise, it can significantly elevate the risks of flooding, infrastructure damage, and displacement.
Here are ten coastal cities currently sinking at alarming rates, each facing unique challenges and pressures.
1. Tianjin, China
Tianjin is one of China’s largest port cities and among the most rapidly subsiding areas in the world. This modern metropolis is sinking at a worrying pace, primarily due to extensive groundwater extraction.
Over the decades, industrial development and urban expansion have placed tremendous pressure on underground aquifers, causing the land above to compress and sink.
Although the local government has introduced measures to manage groundwater usage, Tianjin’s low elevation continues to make it highly susceptible to both tidal flooding and storm surges.
2. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is one of Southeast Asia’s economic powerhouses, but it sits on soft, unstable soil within the Mekong Delta.
The city is experiencing subsidence at an accelerating pace, with some districts sinking several centimeters per year.
The major contributor is unregulated groundwater withdrawal, compounded by rapid urbanization and a growing population.
As parts of the city drop below sea level, residents are facing more frequent and severe floods, even during mild storms.
3. Chittagong, Bangladesh
Chittagong is a major commercial and maritime hub in Bangladesh. However, this vital port city is sinking steadily, putting its infrastructure and residents at risk.
The primary cause is groundwater overuse, especially for domestic and agricultural needs. Furthermore, the natural sedimentation process that once replenished the land has been disrupted by river engineering and construction projects.
Combined with rising sea levels, this sinking trend is creating persistent waterlogging issues, especially during the monsoon season.
4. Yangon, Myanmar
Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city and former capital, is also grappling with significant land subsidence.
Rapid urban growth, poor water resource management, and over-extraction of groundwater are all contributing factors. Yangon’s geography being low-lying and near the coast makes it particularly vulnerable.
Without effective regulation and infrastructure improvements, the city may face escalating challenges in flood management and sustainable urban planning in the years ahead.
5. Jakarta, Indonesia
Few cities illustrate the dangers of subsidence more vividly than Jakarta. Built on swampy land and crisscrossed by 13 rivers, Jakarta is sinking at a dramatic pace, with some areas reportedly dropping by up to 25 centimeters per year.
The overuse of groundwater is the principal culprit, driven by limited access to piped water for much of the population.
Jakarta’s subsidence is so severe that the Indonesian government has begun constructing a new capital city on the island of Borneo to eventually replace it.
6. Ahmedabad, India
Ahmedabad, though not situated directly on the coast, lies close enough to experience the effects of sea-level rise in conjunction with land subsidence.
The city is experiencing a gradual but steady decline in land elevation due to excessive groundwater pumping. As industrialization continues to surge, demand for water has increased, placing strain on underground reserves.
The result is a slow but noticeable sinking that has implications for infrastructure, especially during monsoon flooding.
7. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, a city that bridges Europe and Asia, is also facing subtle but concerning subsidence. As urbanization spreads across this ancient metropolis, groundwater depletion and the construction of large-scale developments have destabilized the ground.
The city’s dense population and historic architecture compound the problem, as even minor shifts can damage centuries-old structures.
Being located near the Bosporus Strait also puts Istanbul at increased risk from sea-level rise and coastal erosion.
8. Houston, United States
Houston, Texas, is one of the most subsidence-prone cities in the United States. Several parts of the city are sinking due to a combination of groundwater pumping and oil and gas extraction.
Houston’s flat topography and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico make it highly flood-prone, and this is exacerbated by subsiding land.
While the city has made strides in managing its water resources, continued urban expansion may intensify the challenges in the future.
9. Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos, Africa’s most populous city, is experiencing land subsidence at a rate that could soon render parts of it uninhabitable.
The city’s booming population has driven increased demand for water, resulting in aggressive groundwater extraction. Informal housing developments and poor drainage infrastructure exacerbate the situation.
Given its location on the Atlantic coast, Lagos is vulnerable to both sea-level rise and storm surges, creating a complex web of environmental risks.
10. Manila, Philippines
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a densely populated urban area that is also sinking gradually. Like many other cities on this list, the primary cause is the unchecked extraction of groundwater.
Manila sits on deltaic soils that are highly susceptible to compaction, especially when water is removed from underground reservoirs.
Frequent typhoons and heavy rainfall events further strain the city’s drainage systems, often leading to severe and prolonged flooding.
Alicia Richards