HCMC is sinking by up to 0.4 inches per year

[ASEAN NOW News]

Although Jakarta, the largest city of Indonesia is the fastest-sinking city in the world, HCMC comes a close second.

HCMC 

 

Many parts of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City are sinking by 0.2-0.4 inches per year. 

 

According to a research report by the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, the city has sunk by around 1.3 feet (0.4 meters) already.

 

HCMC during the rainy season

 

The main reasons cited were “over-exploitation of underground water, rapid urbanization and effervescent transport activities.”

 

Cities at Risk of Coastal Flooding, ranked by the exposed population in 2070.

Coastal City exposed population is estimated per millions.

 

Kolkata14.0 

Mumbai11.4 

Dhaka11.1 

Guangzhou 10.3 

Ho Chi Minh City9.2 

Shanghai5.5 

Bangkok5.1 

Yangon5.0 

Miami4.8 

Haiphong4.7

 

Sinking cities are urban environments that are in danger of disappearing due to their rapidly changing landscapes.

 

The main reason contributing to these cities becoming unlivable are the combined effects of climate change (manifested through sea level rise, intensifying storms, and storm surge), land subsidence, and accelerated urbanization.

 

Many of the world's largest and most rapidly growing cities are located along rivers and coasts, exposing them to natural disasters. Bangkok is a good example of sea and river flooding.

 

As countries continue to invest people, assets, and infrastructure into these cities, the loss potential in these areas also increases.

 

Sinking cities must overcome substantial barriers to properly prepare for today's dynamic environmental climate.

 

Although reports vary widely in predicting the height of sea level rise in the future, IPCC estimates predict a 1-meter rise over the next century.

 

Other reports consider the IPCC estimates to be far too low and suggest levels closer to 1.9 meters by 2100.

Nevertheless, sea-level rise is an unavoidable reality.

 

As sea levels continue to rise, coastal cities face challenges of properly modeling and preparing for the increased storm surges brought on by tropical storms.

 

What is the Vietnamese government doing to prepare for rising sea levels along its lengthy coast?

 

Do you think they are taking this threat seriously?

 

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