Rising ocean waters will completely inundate many coastal land areas within the next three decades, according to data produced by Climate Central, which uses a digital elevation model, CoastalDEM, to better project annual flood levels. Here are just some of the incredible places around the world that could be underwater by 2050 if major steps to prepare for rising seas aren't taken.
Global warming has put London at risk of sinking, along with other major cities, as rising sea levels spell more flooding along the Thames estuary, according to the Climate Central report. Without radical coastal reinforcement strategies, the rise would see large parts of the capital underwater. Particularly vulnerable areas lie along the length of the River Thames, the setting for some of the capital's most important buildings such as the Tower of London and Houses of Parliament, as well as cultural spaces including the Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe.
Climate change also spells potential disaster for large parts of low-lying East Anglia, including the spectacular North Norfolk coastline, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the Norfolk Broads. The predicted coastal flooding would totally swamp the Fens, a coastal plain, reaching down to the Saxon city of Ely and touching on Cambridge. Built on an island in the marshlands, Ely is famous for its magnificent medieval cathedral (pictured).
Along with much of the low-lying North Sea shoreline, Belgium’s coastline and its pretty seaside towns are extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels. And so too is the picturesque city of Bruges in the country's north-west. The UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its winding waterways, cobbled streets and striking bell tower, but floods could do severe damage to its exquisite medieval centre.
The Netherlands' Delft, another canal-lined city of medieval squares, exquisite architecture and priceless art, is also at risk of being inundated by rising sea levels by 2050, along with Rotterdam and Amsterdam. As the birthplace of artist Vermeer, the city has a rich history. However, its medieval old town, which counts a vast square and beautiful Delft City Hall among its landmarks, could be irrecoverably damaged by flooding if the North Sea continues to rise at current levels.
Along with the entire Wadden Sea coastline, Denmark’s oldest town, Ribe, also faces an uncertain future due to sea levels in the North Sea. The well-preserved town dates back to the 9th century, when it was settled by Vikings and became an important North Sea port – today it's known for its pretty cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses and medieval churches. The Wadden Sea itself is a marvel too: as the largest tidal flats system in the world it extends along the coasts of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique habitats and biodiversity.
With a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico, the low, flat state of Tabasco is no stranger to flooding – and it could eventually be completely consumed. The rural region is covered in wetlands and forest and is already subject to seasonal floods, but the rising sea levels could submerge it entirely. This would threaten impressive archaeological sites, such as the Mayan ruins of Malpasito and Comalcalco, and its charming colonial-era cities. Parts of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Baja California are also vulnerable to global sea-level rises.
Panama City’s Casco Viejo and its exclusive Costa del Este neighbourhood are likely to be submerged by 2050. The city was founded in 1519 by Spanish conquistador Pedro Arias de Avila, and became the first European settlement along the shores of the Pacific. The 17th and 18th-century military fortifications on Panama's Caribbean coast are also at risk, according to Climate Central. The defence system has been on UNESCO’s danger list since 2012 due to a variety of environmental factors including rising sea levels.
Many small island nations will be catastrophically affected by sea-level rises in the future, including The Bahamas, which was devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Most of Grand Bahama and Andros Island, along with parts of New Providence, are projected to be underwater by 2050 because of climate change.
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Home to an estimated 11 million people, Thailand’s sprawling capital is sinking and is likely to be one of the cities worst hit by rising sea levels, according to Climate Central's data. The megacity, which sits on the delta of the Chao Phraya River and is laced with canals, has suffered major floods in recent years, with buildings eroded by rising waters. But soon it could sink into the sea entirely, taking with it ancient temples, holy shrines and opulent palaces.
If the sea levels continue to creep up as they are, much of Vietnam’s economic centre Ho Chi Minh City will be underwater along with the majority of the populous, flat coastal regions south of the city. The hectic city, once known as Saigon, is home to some nine million people and is the location for many important Vietnamese historical and cultural attractions.
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Central Vietnam, including the province of Thua Thien-Hue, is also under threat. Rising sea levels, combined with increased rain, will flood the low-lying plains in which the province sits – the royal city of Hue, which sits on the Song Huong (the Perfume River), will likely see its embankments consumed by floodwaters. As the political, cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen dynasty until 1945, Hue's historic centre has numerous UNESCO-listed monuments, including palaces and temples.
The projected sea-level rise for the Mediterranean will affect numerous incredible places, particularly on the coast of the northern Adriatic. Venice’s fight against the rising tide is well documented, but the town of Aquileia (pictured) is also at risk, according to Climate Control’s data. The pretty country town, home to a UNESCO-listed basilica, was once one of the largest and richest cities of the Roman Empire – and it's the site of one of the most complete, unexcavated Roman sites in Europe.
Another treasure trove of Roman remains and Byzantine mosaics endangered by the rising sea is Ravenna, on Emilia-Romagna’s Adriatic coastline. Coastal flooding could do untold damage to this charming town, which lies just a few miles from the Adriatic and is known for its elegant piazzas and priceless mosaics. The Basilica di San Vitale (pictured) is Ravenna’s most famous site.
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Water is intertwined with the history of Greece’s second city, which was founded in 315 BC and is set on the northern edge of the Thermaic Gulf. With its mighty fortifications, many churches and ancient monuments, Roman, Christian, Byzantine and Venetian influences are evident throughout Thessaloniki. However, the Thermaic Gulf is one of the Mediterranean danger zones and is vulnerable to rising sea levels. National parks, coastal villages and heritage properties could all be wiped out within the next three decades.
Western Europe’s oldest existing city is also in peril: Cadiz, along with other parts of Andalucia, will be severely affected by climate change. The port was founded by the Phoenicians over 3,000 years ago, but sea levels could mean coastal floods wreak havoc on the city’s cobblestoned centre, pretty tree-lined plazas and historic sea fortifications. Andalucia's lower Guadalquivir River area is in danger of flooding too, which would has ramifications for parts of the region’s riverside capital Seville.
There are more cultural heritage sites at risk in Egypt’s ancient seaport of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great around 330 BC, the modern metropolis could be lost to rising waters by 2050. Key sites include the Citadel of Qaitbay, built where the legendary Pharos lighthouse once stood; Pompey’s Pillar and the ruins of the temple of Serapeum; and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library built in remembrance of the city’s revered ancient library and one of Egypt’s major cultural venues.
Australia is facing major risks to its coastal infrastructure. According to the study, the east coast is on course for a sea-level rise that would impact many of Queensland’s most popular tourists spots. Pretty Port Douglas in far-north Queensland is one town that could be swamped. The Climate Control data indicates that parts of Daintree National Park, home to the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, will also be affected, and the events will pose a major risk to the fragile ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef.
Kuching, Sarawak’s beguiling riverside capital, is at risk of being inundated by flood waters, according to the data. The city, on the island of Borneo, has a beautiful historic waterfront area and a well-preserved Chinatown. Among its architectural treasures is a 19th-century Old Court House that’s now an impressive cultural hub. The entire surrounding suburb of Petra Jaya may also be underwater within the next three decades.
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The projections by Climate Control show that Mumbai, India’s financial capital and one of the largest cities in the world, is at risk of being largely wiped out. Built on what was once a series of islands, the city’s historic downtown core is particularly vulnerable. Its iconic Gateway of India stone arch, which presides over the Mumbai harbour waterfront, and an ancient complex of rock-cut caves on Elephanta Island could be among the incredible places to be engulfed by the Arabian Sea.
Kolkata is another of India’s populous low-lying coastal cities in danger of sinking completely below water by 2050. It sits on the east bank of the Hooghly River (known as Ganga), which flows to the Bay of Bengal (thought to be rising more than three-and-a-half times faster than the Arabian Sea). Known as India's cultural capital, Kolkata is packed with heritage sites including old Hindu temples, grand colonial-era palatial mansions, the country’s only Chinatown and the Mother House where Mother Teresa lived and is buried.
Shanghai translates as “city on the sea”, but the megacity could soon be under the sea, according to the data from Climate Control – in fact, it is one of China's most endangered cities. The Yangtze Delta where Shanghai is located – as well as the Pearl River Delta, home to Guangzhou, capital of the Guangdong province – are extremely vulnerable to flooding with perilously high concentrations of people living on low-lying land.
Another Asian megacity vulnerable to rising sea levels is Manila in the Philippines, which is home to over 14 million people. According to the map, areas around the capital's coast and port will be submerged by 2050, along with other parts of the Pacific Ocean archipelago. In 2023 it was reported that Metro Manila's sea levels were rising by nearly three times the yearly global average, according to the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.
Mozambique has one of the longest and most stunning coastlines in Africa. As a result, it will be also be one of the continent’s countries most affected by rising sea levels. Coastal floods could threaten the lives of millions, as well as destroy infrastructure and various important ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrass. The east African country is already prone to coastal flooding, but by 2050 large parts will be entirely lost to the sea, according to the report.
The Maputo National Park and Special Reserve – home to elephants, giraffes and mangrove forests – will be partially lost, while Mozambique Island will be submerged almost in its entirety. The crescent-shaped coral isle, with its vast fortress and Stone Town, was the capital and trading centre of Portuguese East Africa and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The inland sea coastline of the Manitoba province is facing a worrying future. Churchill, the world's so-called polar bear capital on the remote southwestern shores of Hudson Bay, is already feeling the effects of climate change with severe spring floods becoming more common. But much of it could eventually be underwater entirely, putting at risk historic sites including inukshuk built by the Inuit and the 18th-century Prince of Wales Fort. Parts of its Wapusk National Park, which contains one of the world’s largest known polar bear maternity denning areas, will also disappear.
When it comes to rising seas, the South Carolina beauty of Charleston is a risky city to live in, according to the report. It found that there was a 34% risk of at least one flood over 5 feet (1.5m) taking place between now and 2050 in the Charleston County area. This leaves the historic city's buildings and homes very vulnerable to damage and destruction, particularly in its low-lying areas. Storm surges along Charleston Harbor are likely to become more commonplace and severe.
Flooding has long blighted America’s oldest city, St Augustine – and it will continue to do so since the city is reportedly one of the East Coast locations most under threat. According to the report there is a 64% risk of at least one flood over 4 feet (1.2m) taking place between today and 2050 in the St Augustine area. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew unleashed unprecedented flooding on the city's historic downtown area, which is presided over by waterside fort Castillo de San Marcos, built by the Spanish in 1672.
The creeping sea is already having an effect on the southern part of Florida’s vast tropical wetlands and will continue to decimate the unique habitat if unchecked. The increasing sea level is pushing saltwater inland, causing the freshwater marshes to shrink and coastal mangroves to migrate. The wilderness is home to threatened species such as the manatee, the American crocodile and the Florida panther.
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Much of the largely flat southern Florida coastline faces inundation by 2050, and this includes its stunning coral cay archipelago, the Florida Keys. In fact, Key West is likely to be one of the first US cities to start flooding thanks to rising sea levels. By 2060, it’s estimated that over 60% of the liveable land there will be flooded (rising to nearly 95% in 2100).
With much of the so-called Big Easy below sea level, residents of Louisiana’s flood-prone city, and its beautiful heritage buildings, face a perilous future. After being devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a multi-billion-dollar network of levees was built to protect the city. But if sea levels continue to rise, the outskirts of the sinking city could be overtaken. The Climate Central report points to an 89% risk of at least one flood over 6 feet (1.8m) taking place between today and 2050 in the New Orleans area.
On the USA's West Coast, the San Francisco Bay Area looks set to be most at danger from major flooding due to the sea-level rise. Climate Control's Coastal Risk Screening Tool shows extreme flooding at locations around the Bay Area, putting parts of San Francisco, Fremont and Foster City underwater by 2050. Also underwater is the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a tidal marsh, mud flats and important wetland habitat in Sonoma County, with the flooding rising up close to the wine-growing town of Napa and capital Sacramento.
Another of the world’s major cities facing an uncertain future is New York City, along with parts of New York state and neighbouring New Jersey. According to the report, there is a 68% risk of at least one flood over 6 feet (1.8m) taking place between today and 2050 in the New York area. This could do irreparable damage to the city’s waterfront districts in particular – in 2012 tidal surges from Hurricane Sandy damaged the neighbourhoods of Lower Manhattan, Red Hook and the Rockaway Peninsula.
One of Japan’s leading industrial cities, Nagoya sits tucked away at the mouth of Ise Bay on the island of Honshu. Along with cities like Osaka and Okayama, it faces immense threat from potential ocean inundation which could see large parts of it swallowed within the next 30 years. Climate Central’s map projects floodwaters will engulf the Water Treatment Science Museum and parts of Meijo Park, narrowly avoiding Nagoya Castle (pictured).
If we continue on the trajectory we are on, by 2050 we could lose huge chunks of France’s Vendee department to the waves. Climate Central forecast that this Atlantic coastal region will lose its island of Noirmoutier (pictured), known for saltwater marshes and marine pines, as well as coastal resorts, wetlands and tangles of labyrinthine canals that have been labelled the ‘Green Venice’.
The Indigenous-heritage-rich coast of Western Australia is facing a troubling future too. Parts of the state’s Coral Coast, as well as the Pilbara and Kimberley regions, are looking especially perilous. Within three decades, patches of Ningaloo (famous for whale sharks), Cape Range National Park and myriad islands could be taken out by rising sea levels if left unchecked. Port Hedland, one of the largest towns in the Pilbara, will disappear beneath the Indian Ocean, as will Eighty Mile Beach (pictured) which stretches between there and Broome.
There isn’t a single emirate in the UAE that won’t be partially underwater by 2050 at the rate global sea levels are rising. In the north of the country, Ras Al Khaimah – tagged as the nature emirate – will lose important mangroves, old pearling villages and luxury resorts, while vast areas of Sharjah and Dubai (pictured) will also sink beneath the Persian Gulf. Abu Dhabi is poised to be the most endangered; its city centre might escape the worst of the damage, but the same can’t be said for the rest of the emirate.
Meanwhile in the UK, the southwest England county of Somerset is firmly in Climate Central’s red zone. Bleeding from the market town of Bridgwater up towards the seaside communities of Burnham-on-Sea, Brean and Weston-super-Mare (pictured), floodwaters will engulf nature reserves, caravan parks, museums, piers and miles of vital infrastructure, all the way north to the neighbouring county of Gloucestershire. Across the water, parts of Wales, including the capital Cardiff, are also in grave danger.
Since the release of Climate Central's data, more worrying climate change reports have been published, revealing more places at risk of being submerged. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has found that sea levels are expected to rise by a further six to 10 inches (15 to 25cm) by 2050. This puts the tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu under serious threat. The nine low-lying islands, located between Australia and Hawaii, have a high point of just 16.4 feet (5m) above sea level.