10 Cities That Could Be Underwater by 2050: Climate Change’s Looming Impact

Rising sea levels are no longer a distant threat—they’re happening now. Fueled by global warming and melting polar ice caps, coastal regions around the world are already experiencing the creeping consequences of higher tides and extreme weather events. Scientists warn that by 2050, many of the world’s most iconic cities could be partially or entirely underwater if urgent climate action is not taken. Here’s a look at 10 cities that are especially at risk.

1. Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta is widely considered the fastest-sinking city in the world. Built on swampy land and lacking adequate drainage, the city suffers from over-extraction of groundwater, causing the land to subside at alarming rates—up to 10 inches per year in some areas. Combined with rising sea levels, nearly 95% of North Jakarta could be submerged by 2050. The crisis is so severe that the Indonesian government has announced plans to relocate the capital to Borneo.

2. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok sits just about 1.5 meters above sea level and is built on a soft, sinking clay plain. Its sprawling population and infrastructure stress the natural land, while deforestation upstream has weakened its natural flood resistance. By 2050, studies suggest large swaths of the city could be submerged unless major countermeasures, like improved drainage and sea walls, are implemented.

3. New Orleans, USA

New Orleans has long been vulnerable to flooding, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 tragically exposed this reality. Much of the city already lies below sea level, and without aggressive adaptation strategies, more than half of New Orleans could be underwater by mid-century. Levees and pumps can help, but rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms may outpace current defenses.

4. Venice, Italy

Known for its canals and romantic gondolas, Venice has been slowly sinking for centuries. In recent years, however, the combination of land subsidence and rising sea levels has accelerated the city’s flooding problems. The MOSE flood barrier project offers some hope, but experts warn that without global emissions reductions, the barriers might become ineffective by 2050.

5. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnam’s economic hub is extremely low-lying, making it highly susceptible to sea-level rise. Research from Climate Central indicates that more than half of Ho Chi Minh City could be underwater by 2050, displacing millions of residents. Despite government investment in infrastructure, the city’s rapid development has outpaced its environmental safeguards.

6. Alexandria, Egypt

Alexandria, a city of rich history and over 5 million people, lies on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. Built on low-lying lands and protected only by narrow natural barriers, it faces severe flooding risks. A one-meter rise in sea level—possible by 2100—could displace hundreds of thousands and destroy valuable archaeological and cultural sites long before then.

7. Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka is no stranger to climate-induced disasters. With much of the city at or just above sea level and located in a delta prone to heavy monsoon flooding, it is especially at risk. By 2050, rising seas combined with intense rainfall and river flooding could force tens of millions of people to migrate inland, contributing to a growing climate refugee crisis.

8. Miami, USA

Miami faces a dual threat: rising sea levels and porous limestone bedrock that allows water to seep upward, making traditional barriers less effective. Already, “sunny day flooding” is a common occurrence. Projections show that by 2050, entire neighborhoods could be permanently underwater, threatening billions in real estate and infrastructure.

9. Kolkata, India

Located on the banks of the Hooghly River and close to the Bay of Bengal, Kolkata is at high risk of submersion. Frequent flooding, poor drainage systems, and sea-level rise combine to make the city one of the most vulnerable in India. Studies predict that tens of millions of people could be affected by mid-century if adaptation efforts do not accelerate.

10. Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos, one of Africa’s most populous and economically vital cities, lies on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The city is expanding rapidly, often into wetlands and flood-prone areas. Rising sea levels, poor drainage infrastructure, and increasingly intense storms could render large portions of Lagos uninhabitable by 2050. The economic consequences would be devastating not just for Nigeria, but for all of West Africa.

The Broader Picture

These ten cities are just a snapshot of a much larger global crisis. From small island nations to coastal megacities, climate change does not discriminate. According to a 2019 study by Climate Central, around 300 million people could be living in areas that experience annual coastal flooding by 2050 unless carbon emissions are curbed.

The threat is multifaceted. Rising seas lead to erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies, destruction of infrastructure, economic disruption, and ultimately, mass displacement. It is a humanitarian issue as much as it is an environmental one.

What Can Be Done?

While the outlook is dire, it’s not hopeless. Cities and nations are beginning to invest in adaptive technologies: sea walls, elevated buildings, managed retreat, improved drainage systems, and restored wetlands. However, these solutions are stopgaps unless paired with global efforts to limit warming to below 1.5°C, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Public pressure, technological innovation, and international cooperation are essential. The world must transition rapidly toward renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and carbon-neutral economies.

Conclusion

The time for denial is over. The data is clear: if the world continues on its current path, many iconic and economically critical cities could be submerged or rendered uninhabitable by 2050. Whether or not we act now will determine not only the fate of these cities, but the course of global civilization.