Imagine waking up to find your streets swallowed by the ocean, your favorite neighborhood hangouts submerged, and your city’s skyline reflected in floodwaters. For millions around the world, this isn’t just a nightmare—it’s an approaching reality. As climate change pushes sea levels higher, some of the world’s most iconic cities teeter on the edge of a watery future. The threat is real, relentless, and deeply personal for communities who call these places home. Let’s journey through 15 cities most at risk from rising sea levels, uncovering the gravity of the situation and the incredible resilience of the human spirit.

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta is often called the “sinking city.” Indonesia’s bustling capital is home to more than 10 million people, yet nearly half of it lies below sea level. Heavy groundwater extraction, rapid urbanization, and inadequate drainage have caused the city to sink as much as 10 inches per year in some places. The Java Sea is creeping ever closer, flooding neighborhoods and forcing families to relocate. In response, the government has announced plans to move the capital to Borneo, an unprecedented step driven by rising tides. The story of Jakarta is a stark warning for other coastal megacities.

Miami, USA

Miami’s glittering coastline has become a frontline in America’s battle against climate change. The city is particularly vulnerable, with its porous limestone foundation allowing seawater to seep through, flooding streets even on sunny days—a phenomenon known as “sunny day flooding.” Projections suggest that by 2040, large parts of Miami Beach could be underwater during high tides. Real estate prices fluctuate with every new report, and city officials scramble to raise roads and upgrade stormwater systems. Miami’s struggle is a preview of challenges facing coastal communities across the United States.

Venice, Italy

Venice is world-famous for its winding canals, but these waterways now threaten its very existence. The city regularly experiences “acqua alta,” or high water, events that submerge piazzas and disrupt daily life. In November 2019, Venice saw its second-worst flooding in history, with more than 80% of the city underwater. Rising seas and land subsidence combine to make every storm a potential disaster. The MOSE project, a system of mobile barriers, offers some hope, but Venetians know that their beloved city’s future hangs in the balance.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is sinking quickly—by up to two centimeters each year—while the Gulf of Thailand rises. Built on soft clay, the city’s sprawling infrastructure pushes it down, while unchecked development accelerates the crisis. Flooding isn’t new for Bangkokians, but climate change is making the situation dramatically worse. As sea levels rise, saltwater infiltrates freshwater supplies and damages crops. Authorities are exploring everything from giant underground reservoirs to floating markets to keep the city afloat, but time is running short.

New Orleans, USA

The memory of Hurricane Katrina still haunts New Orleans. Much of the city is below sea level, protected only by a network of levees and pumps. Rising seas and sinking land threaten to outpace these defenses, making flooding more frequent and severe. Wetlands that once shielded the city are disappearing, eroded by storms and rising tides. The fate of New Orleans isn’t just a local issue—it’s a symbol of how vulnerable even the richest countries can be when nature’s forces are unleashed.

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is a city of resilience. Yet with rising sea levels, that resilience is being tested like never before. Bangladesh’s low-lying delta makes it one of the most vulnerable countries in the world. Millions of people are already on the move, escaping flooded villages and salt-ravaged farmland. Dhaka swells with climate refugees, straining resources and infrastructure. In a country where nearly 20% of land could be submerged by 2050, the stakes could not be higher.

Alexandria, Egypt

Alexandria’s ancient streets and historic monuments are threatened by the Mediterranean’s relentless advance. A city that has stood for thousands of years now faces an existential crisis. Experts warn that a 50-centimeter rise in sea levels could flood a third of Alexandria by 2050. Saltwater intrusion is already damaging farmland and buildings. The city’s unique blend of history and culture is at risk of being lost forever if urgent action isn’t taken.

Shanghai, China

Shanghai, one of the world’s largest cities, sits on the edge of the Yangtze River Delta—a region extremely prone to flooding. Much of the city is barely above sea level, with land subsidence compounding the threat. By 2100, more than 17 million residents could be affected by rising waters. Shanghai’s response has been ambitious, from massive seawalls to innovative green spaces that absorb floodwaters. Yet with every typhoon season, the city’s vulnerability becomes more apparent.

Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos, Africa’s largest city, is a vibrant metropolis built on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Its booming population and rapid development have filled in wetlands that once protected it from flooding. Now, heavy rains and rising tides frequently inundate neighborhoods, disrupting businesses and displacing families. Projections show that a one-meter rise in sea levels could put two million Lagosians at risk. The city’s future will depend on bold planning and community resilience.

New York City, USA

New York City is no stranger to dramatic weather, but Hurricane Sandy was a wake-up call. The storm surge flooded subways, destroyed homes, and left parts of the city dark for days. With over 520 miles of coastline, New York is highly exposed to sea level rise. Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens are especially at risk. Billions of dollars are being invested in seawalls, green infrastructure, and emergency preparedness—but the clock is ticking.

Kolkata, India

Kolkata sits on the banks of the Hooghly River, just upstream from the Bay of Bengal. This position makes it extremely vulnerable to both river flooding and rising seas. More than 14 million people live in the city’s metropolitan area, many in low-lying neighborhoods. Each monsoon brings the threat of inundation and disease outbreaks. Saltwater is creeping into drinking supplies and farmland, threatening food security. Kolkata’s challenges are a microcosm of the wider struggle faced by delta cities worldwide.

Manila, Philippines

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is battered by up to 20 typhoons a year. Rising sea levels have turned seasonal flooding into a year-round threat for its 13 million residents. Informal settlements along the coast are especially vulnerable, with families often forced to relocate after every big storm. The government is racing to build seawalls and drainage systems, but with poverty widespread, many are left to fend for themselves. Manila’s plight highlights the deep connection between climate change and social inequality.

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Rotterdam is a city of innovation, known for its impressive flood defenses and water management systems. Nearly 90% of the city lies below sea level, protected by a system of levees, pumps, and storm surge barriers. However, as sea levels rise, even Rotterdam’s sophisticated infrastructure faces unprecedented challenges. The city is transforming itself with floating buildings, green roofs, and “water plazas” that double as public spaces and emergency reservoirs. Rotterdam’s experience offers a glimpse into what the future might hold for other coastal cities.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is Vietnam’s economic powerhouse. Yet its position on the Mekong Delta puts it at extreme risk from rising seas and river flooding. Experts warn that by 2050, much of the city could be underwater. Daily life is already disrupted by high tides and monsoon rains. Farmers struggle as saltwater ruins crops, while urban residents contend with traffic jams and power outages caused by flooding. The city’s future depends on finding ways to live with water, not just fight against it.

Boston, USA

Boston’s historic neighborhoods and bustling waterfront are increasingly threatened by the Atlantic Ocean’s rising tides. Sea level rise projections suggest that by 2070, parts of the city could flood regularly, especially during winter storms. The city is investing in “living shorelines” and elevated parks to buffer against floods. Despite its wealth and resources, Boston faces tough questions about how to protect its heritage and future in a changing climate.

Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Abidjan is West Africa’s economic hub, a city of nearly 5 million people perched on the Gulf of Guinea. Coastal erosion, storm surges, and rising tides have already forced the relocation of entire neighborhoods. The city’s rapid growth has paved over wetlands, leaving less space for floodwaters to go. With sea levels projected to rise by up to a meter by 2100, Abidjan’s challenges are mounting. The city’s fate will depend on bold policies and strong community action.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is the world’s largest metropolitan area, with more than 37 million residents. Much of the city’s land is reclaimed from the sea, leaving it highly vulnerable to both tsunamis and rising tides. Engineers have built some of the world’s most advanced flood defenses, including massive underground reservoirs and sea walls. Yet with more intense storms and higher seas on the horizon, Tokyo faces a never-ending battle to keep the water at bay.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio’s breathtaking beaches and dramatic hillsides make it one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. But its low-lying neighborhoods, known as favelas, are especially exposed to rising sea levels and coastal erosion. Heavy rains already trigger deadly landslides and floods. As the Atlantic creeps inland, iconic sites like Copacabana Beach could disappear. Rio’s response to climate change will shape the lives of millions and affect the city’s global image.

London, United Kingdom

London’s great Thames Barrier has protected the city from the sea for decades. However, as sea levels rise and storms become more severe, this iconic defense faces new challenges. Much of London sits just above sea level, especially the eastern boroughs. Flooding threatens homes, businesses, and centuries-old landmarks. The city is planning new defenses and adapting its riverside neighborhoods, but the threat is growing each year.

San Francisco, USA

San Francisco’s iconic waterfront could look very different in the coming decades. Rising seas threaten to inundate landmarks like the Embarcadero, while king tides already flood low-lying streets. Some projections suggest that by 2100, the bay could rise by more than two meters, putting thousands of homes and businesses at risk. The city is exploring ambitious solutions, from restoring wetlands to raising seawalls, but the challenges are immense.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney’s world-famous beaches and harbors are under threat from the Pacific’s rising tides. Coastal erosion is already eating away at popular spots like Bondi Beach. As sea levels rise, low-lying suburbs face more frequent flooding, and infrastructure is strained by storm surges. The city is working to adapt, with new building codes and expanded green spaces, but the beauty and lifestyle that define Sydney are at risk.

The threat of rising sea levels is reshaping the world’s great cities. Each of these places stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the urgent need for bold action. From Jakarta’s drastic move to relocate its capital to Rotterdam’s pioneering water management, the fight against the tides is both a local and a global challenge. What would you do if your hometown was next?