NASA Warns: One in Five Major Cities Could Face Severe Flooding by 2100

A groundbreaking study by NASA has issued a dire warning: one in five of the world's major cities could experience severe flooding by 2100 due to rising sea levels. The research highlights urban centres like Houston and Chicago as particularly vulnerable, with potentially devastating consequences for millions of residents.

The Alarming Findings

Using advanced satellite data and climate models, NASA scientists have projected that sea levels could rise by up to 1 metre by the end of this century. This dramatic increase would put coastal and low-lying cities at unprecedented risk of permanent inundation.

Cities Most at Risk

The study specifically identifies:

Houston, Texas - vulnerable due to subsiding land and storm surges
Chicago, Illinois - threatened by rising lake levels
Miami, Florida - already experiencing regular 'sunny day' flooding
Shanghai, China - with millions living in low-lying areas
Mumbai, India - where sea walls may prove inadequate

Why This Matters

These findings come as climate scientists warn that current emission reduction pledges are insufficient to prevent catastrophic sea level rise. The implications extend far beyond flooded streets:

Mass displacement of urban populations
Collapse of critical infrastructure
Billions in economic losses
Irreversible damage to cultural heritage sites

Dr. Sarah Johnson, lead researcher on the project, stated: 'What we're seeing isn't just a future possibility - the processes driving this sea level rise are already locked in. The question now is how much worse we're willing to let it get.'

What Can Be Done?

While some impacts are now unavoidable, NASA scientists emphasize that aggressive climate action could still prevent the worst-case scenarios. Key measures include: