Ho Chi Minh City is among the top 5 fastest sinking cities in the world.

A recent study by the scientific journal Nature Sustainability shows that Ho Chi Minh City is among the top 5 fastest sinking cities in the world.

Climate change has led to alarming phenomena globally in recent years, including land subsidence and rising sea levels, according to Tempo on November 21.

A recent study by the scientific journal Nature Sustainability on the rate of subsidence in many cities shows that Ho Chi Minh City is among the top 5 fastest sinking cities in the world.

1. Tianjin, China

Tianjin recorded subsidence since the 1920s, and this phenomenon was especially strong in the 1930s, the main cause of which was groundwater extraction.

In the 1960s, some areas of the city sank by more than a meter. China's rapid urbanization in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has exacerbated the subsidence. Roads, bridges and skyscrapers built on growing urban areas are major contributors.

2. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

A high tide caused severe flooding in Ho Chi Minh City - (Photo: PHUONG QUYEN).

As of May 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction said the total subsidence area in the city is up to nearly 7,200 hectares. Areas near rivers and canals are particularly heavily affected with faster subsidence rates.

The rate of subsidence in Ho Chi Minh City is from 10-15mm per year, some places up to 6-8cm/year. This problem has increased the phenomenon of frequent flooding in the city.

Meanwhile, a recent report from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ho Chi Minh City shows that land subsidence in Ho Chi Minh City began to appear since 1990.

A survey by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) shows that the subsidence rate in Ho Chi Minh City is about 2-5cm/year. In particular, areas with a high concentration of commercial buildings are sinking 7-8cm/year. This subsidence rate is twice as fast as sea level rise (about 1cm/year).

From 2004 to 2014, within 10 years, the subsidence rate in Ho Chi Minh City was 10cm, in some places more. The subsidence areas include Binh Chanh district, the south of Binh Tan district, district 8, the west of district 7, the northwest of the old district 2, the east of district 12, the southwest of the old Thu Duc district, the northwest of Nha Be district. The total subsidence area is ^239km2 .

In 2019, in the whole Ho Chi Minh City, the area of ​​rapid subsidence over 15mm/year was 14,775ha, the area of ​​relatively rapid subsidence from 10 - 15mm/year was 22,331ha and the area of ​​average subsidence 5 - 10mm/year was 29,560ha.

3. Chittagong, Bangladesh

Chittagong, Bangladesh, is one of the fastest-sinking cities in Asia. It is sinking nearly 10 times faster than sea level rise, at 20mm/year between 2015 and 2020.

Industrial exploitation of groundwater and saline intrusion are serious problems faced by the people of Chittagong.

4. Yangon, Myanmar

Yangon faces a growing challenge as it sinks at a rate of 31mm per year. Many experts believe the main cause is over-extraction of groundwater, leading to the risk of a major earthquake.

5. Jakarta, Indonesia

Rising sea levels have begun to "submerge" some coastal cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta. The city is sinking at a rate of 26mm/year. This worrying phenomenon has prompted the government to decide to "move the capital" from Jakarta to the province of East Kalimantan.