Top 10 Cities That Could Completely Disappear by 2100

The iconic canals of Venice attract 20 million tourists annually. Severe flooding caused by climate change has submerged Italy's most picturesque city. A recent climate change study has warned that the beautiful city of Venice could be submerged by rising sea levels by 2100 if global warming isn't mitigated. The Mediterranean Sea is expected to rise by up to 140cm (over 4 feet) in the coming century. As the oceans continue to expand due to higher greenhouse gas concentrations, global temperatures rise, contributing to the problem.

According to tidal monitoring centers, water levels in Venice have risen by 6 feet or 1.87 meters. Four major floods have occurred over the last 20 years. Key landmarks in the city, including St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, and the crypt, are facing significant flooding. Many businesses have been affected, and people have lost their lives. Climate change has led to unusual weather patterns and more frequent occurrences of Acqua Alta (high tide). Winter visitors to Venice often encounter the city underwater, a direct consequence of global warming.

In India, an estimated 31 million people living in coastal areas are at risk of annual flooding. The population in these areas is steadily increasing and could rise to 51 million by 2100. Kolkata is one of four cities in India forecast to be severely impacted by a one-meter sea-level rise by 2100, while other cities in northern India are expected to face a severe water crisis. Kolkata is part of a global group of 45 coastal cities where a 50cm rise in sea level could lead to flooding, affecting millions.

As sea levels rise, saltwater from the ocean will infiltrate further inland, rendering agricultural land unsuitable for cultivation. West Bengal, with Kolkata as its capital, is already experiencing increased migration from parts of Bangladesh, where saline water contamination has worsened. These factors, combined with the warming oceans, have led to a rise in extreme weather events like cyclones, putting coastal populations in great danger.

A WIRED article reports that Mexico City may sink by as much as 65 feet. The city heavily relies on groundwater extraction, which has been a primary cause of its subsidence. Over-extraction by the growing population of Mexico is causing land sinking, a situation made worse by climate change. Since the 1960s, Mexico has warmed, with no signs of this trend reversing. Rising temperatures, along with more intense heatwaves and droughts, are causing increased evaporation, thereby raising the demand for water, which is further accelerating the depletion of underground water reserves.

According to EcoWatch, groundwater extraction is causing the water table in Mexico City to drop by about 38 cm annually in several areas. Over the last 60 years, the city has subsided by about 9.8 meters. As water is extracted from beneath the city, voids are left behind, which over time compress under weight, causing further sinking. Another contributing factor is that the city was built on a dry lakebed in the crater of an ancient volcano. Mexico City is a prime example of how climate change is affecting not only coastal cities but also high-altitude urban areas, exposing the vulnerabilities of cities worldwide.

New Orleans serves as a major hub for shipping goods down the Mississippi River and for international imports. The city's thriving maritime industry now faces severe threats from deadly hurricanes. Due to rising sea levels, many of its port facilities, located in the lowest areas of the river, will soon become uninhabitable. According to a recent study, a large coastal area surrounding New Orleans is expected to submerge by the next century, as the sediment deposition rate in the Mississippi Delta cannot keep pace with rising sea levels.

Between 10,000 and 13,500 square kilometers of coastal land will be submerged by rising sea levels and land subsidence by 2100, a loss much greater than previously anticipated. Increased hurricane frequency and earlier tropical storm seasons are leading to more flooding. Over 50% of the city's area is already below sea level, with the remaining three-quarters likely to follow suit by 2050. Research by NASA and the California Institute of Technology shows that New Orleans is sinking by approximately 2 inches per year. Parts of the city are already submerged 15 feet below sea level, and its location on a river delta significantly increases its vulnerability to rising sea levels and flooding.

Bruges is renowned for its picturesque canals, cobblestone streets, and medieval buildings. Known as the 'Venice of the North' because of its extensive network of waterways, the city originally sat at the mouth of the Zwijn River where the River Rei meets the sea. According to simulations, by 2030, rising sea levels will significantly increase the risk of flooding along Belgium's coast and further inland, affecting Bruges, Eeklo, Dendermonde, Mechelen, and even the outskirts of Ghent. Today, the city's stunning medieval architecture, which lines its canals, is increasingly threatened by rising sea levels.

Climate change is projected to cause higher sea levels, leading to rising canal waters and more frequent flooding. Along with much of the low-lying North Sea coastline, Belgium’s coastal towns are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the northwest, is famous for its winding waterways, cobblestone lanes, and iconic bell towers, but the increasing risk of flooding poses a serious threat to the delicate medieval city center.

Lagos is the most populous city in Africa, home to over 24 million people. It is also one of the most vulnerable cities to rising sea levels due to climate change. Over time, the intensity of rainfall is expected to increase, leading to flooded streets filled with debris, as Lagos’ waste management system becomes overwhelmed. Whenever there are heavy rains, garbage piles up in open drains, making it increasingly difficult to navigate the streets. Projections suggest that a 90 cm rise in sea levels could occur by 2100 if global temperatures rise by more than 2°C. The city’s infrastructure will need a complete overhaul to withstand the impact of rising seas.

Lagos, Nigeria is another city sinking under the weight of its own growth. Built on the coast and spread across several islands, Lagos suffers from poor drainage systems and frequent flooding. A 2012 study showed that a rise of just 1 to 3 meters in sea levels would be catastrophic for the area. The city's growing population also consumes vast amounts of groundwater each year, contributing to the land's gradual sinking.

The financial capital of India, Mumbai, is at risk of being submerged. Heavy rains and cyclones have made the city vulnerable to flooding and coastal surges, with waves threatening to flood its streets. Mumbai is a densely populated city, and during the annual monsoon season, it is prone to flooding, uprooted trees, residents' homes being inundated, and even houses collapsing. If climate change is not controlled, it could lead to a challenging future for everyone living in Mumbai.

Before sea levels rise enough to submerge Mumbai, the increase will make the water extremely salty and toxic. A tropical heat surge could lead to biological accumulation and biochemical processes, all of which will affect and harm apex predators, causing widespread health issues. The melting of icebergs will also introduce ancient diseases that we have no defense against. As these glaciers melt, they release minerals and salts into the oceans, which will not only harm wildlife and humans but also disrupt ocean currents.

Jakarta, Indonesia is the fastest sinking city in the world. By 2050, North Jakarta is expected to be submerged by up to 95%, having already sunk by 2.5 meters over the past decade and continuing to sink nearly 25 cm annually. This sinking rate is twice the global average for coastal megacities. On average, the city is sinking by 1-15 cm per year, with nearly half of Jakarta already below sea level. This is a truly alarming situation. North Jakarta has long been one of Indonesia’s busiest port cities.

The Ciliwung River flows into the Java Sea here, and this location became a hub after the Dutch colonized the area. Two main factors contribute to Jakarta’s rapid sinking. First, the over-extraction of groundwater due to the lack of a reliable water supply in most areas. The second factor is climate change, which causes rising sea levels and extreme weather events, leading to flooding when sea barriers break.

Studies predict that sea levels could rise by several meters over the next 50 years. The report warns that some coastal cities, including London, could be submerged by the end of this century unless immediate action is taken to curb greenhouse gas emissions. A large portion of the UK capital is at risk of being flooded due to rising sea levels. London has already experienced the effects of global warming, with increasing flooding in recent years. Without timely flood defense strategies, global warming will likely lead to flooding of the Thames River.

Sea levels are expected to rise by more than 40 cm unless global warming is limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The historical geological background of the capital plays a significant role in this issue. During the last Ice Age, glaciers in Northern Europe pushed the Earth’s crust upwards towards Scotland, causing it to rise by about 1mm per year. London is sinking at a similar rate and is, therefore, vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, and cultural spaces like Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe, are located along the Thames River.

The waters at the southern tip of the Florida Peninsula have risen by one foot since the 1900s, with an additional rise of nearly five inches since 1993. The government has started to plan how to protect Miami from this growing threat, investing millions of dollars. The city's sea levels are rising fast enough to damage homes and roads. A 2018 report from the Union of Concerned Scientists highlighted that 12,000 homes in Miami Beach are at risk of chronic flooding within the next 30 years.

By 2030, sea levels could rise by another 6 inches, and by 2060, the total increase could reach 2 feet. This would result in the displacement of approximately one-third of Miami-Dade County's current population. The Miami area is built on a vast wetland, sitting atop porous limestone, which acts like a sponge. During the summer rainy season, Miami residents are often seen kayaking down flooded streets, with cars submerged up to their windows. Alongside Jakarta, Miami is on track to become one of the most vulnerable major coastal cities in the world.