The World’s Fastest Sinking City | Home to 10 Million People Will Be Submerged in the Near Future!
It is a bustling megacity full of people. The Dutch called it Batavia when they built it in the 17th century. However, it also holds a troubling title. It’s the world’s fastest-sinking city. Yes, we are talking about Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Rapid land subsidence and rising sea levels threaten its very existence. If current rates of sinking continue, large parts of Jakarta could be underwater by 2050. This prompted scientists, local leaders, and residents to brace for a future that seems increasingly uncertain. There are plans for relocation to Borneo. But this might take a better part of a decade per estimates. Let us now look at the calamity faced by these unfortunate people.
Understanding Jakarta’s Sinking Crisis
Jakarta’s land is sinking at an alarming rate—between 10 and 25 centimeters (4 to 10 inches) per year in some areas. According to a report by the BBC, close to 40% of Jakarta currently lies below sea level. This startling rate of subsidence has scientists and policymakers fearing that the city could lose up to a third of its land by mid-century. By comparison, while other major coastal cities like Bangkok and New Orleans are also sinking, none match the unprecedented speed at which Jakarta is descending. “Jakarta is the fastest-sinking city in the world,” said Heri Andreas, a researcher at the Bandung Institute of Technology, noting that without serious intervention, the situation could be catastrophic.
Causes of the World’s Fastest Sinking City’s Subsidence
Jakarta’s land subsidence is mainly attributed to unregulated groundwater extraction, rapid urban development, and rising sea levels driven by climate change. Understanding the mechanisms behind Jakarta’s subsidence is crucial in identifying possible solutions.
Unregulated Groundwater Extraction
An estimated 60% of Jakarta’s residents lack access to a reliable water supply, meaning many rely on groundwater daily. Constant pumping from underground aquifers causes the land above to sink gradually. In Jakarta, unregulated groundwater extraction is a major factor, accounting for more than half of the city’s sinking, according to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing. Some commercial buildings and industrial zones even drill deep into the earth to draw water for cooling systems, adding further stress to the aquifers below.
This dependence on groundwater is especially evident in northern Jakarta, where coastal neighborhoods have sunk as much as 4 meters (13 feet) over the past few decades. The water table is rapidly depleting, and without a reliable alternative to piped water, the city’s land subsidence continues unabated.
Impact of Infrastructure and Development in the World’s Fastest-Sinking City
The city’s extensive infrastructure development—housing, skyscrapers, roads, and industrial areas—has added weight to the land. As Jakarta’s population grows, so does the demand for new buildings and infrastructure, further compressing the ground beneath the city. Urban sprawl in Jakarta often replaces natural water-absorbing landscapes with concrete structures, such as marshes and green areas. This trend exacerbates the sinking problem, compounding the weight on already vulnerable land.
Rising Sea Levels and Climate Change
The impact of climate change is also unavoidable in Jakarta’s crisis. Rising global sea levels contribute directly to coastal flooding and higher storm surges. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency reported that the sea level around Jakarta has risen by approximately 3.3 millimeters per year over the past decade. While this figure may appear small, when combined with subsidence rates, it means that some areas of Jakarta are sinking below sea level at an accelerated pace. Rising sea levels magnify the severity and frequency of floods, further diminishing Jakarta’s habitability.
Daily Challenges for Residents of the World’s Fastest-Sinking City
As the land sinks and the sea encroaches, daily life for Jakarta’s residents grows increasingly difficult. Flooding has become a near-constant threat, disrupting lives, damaging property, and creating serious health hazards.
Frequent Flooding
During the rainy season, floods often overwhelm Jakarta, especially in low-lying northern neighborhoods. Streets become impassable, homes and businesses are inundated, and entire neighborhoods are cut off. In February 2021, one such flood displaced thousands of residents, forcing families to seek refuge in temporary shelters. For many residents, floodwaters not only damage property but also disrupt their sources of income and access to essential services. This recurring issue underscores the city’s dire need for effective flood management.
Health and Safety Risks
The health risks posed by Jakarta’s sinking crisis are significant. Stagnant floodwater creates ideal conditions for waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever and cholera, which have become increasingly common in flooded areas. The World Health Organization has reported a steady rise in dengue fever cases in Jakarta over the past decade, linking it directly to prolonged periods of flooding. Besides infectious diseases, there’s a constant risk of physical injuries or drowning during severe floods, further endangering the population.
Loss of Property and Livelihoods
The economic toll of Jakarta’s sinking is steep. According to Indonesia’s National Development Planning Agency, property damage from floods in Jakarta costs billions of dollars each year. Many residents have seen their homes and businesses repeatedly submerged, and repairing the damages often becomes an unsustainable burden. Some families have had to rebuild multiple times or raise their homes on stilts, yet the floods persist, wiping out savings and sources of livelihood.
The Government’s Response to the World’s Fastest Sinking City
The Indonesian government has recognized the scale of Jakarta’s crisis and has initiated various measures, though not without challenges.
Seawall Project
The National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD) project, commonly known as the “Great Garuda,” is a large-scale seawall construction project meant to protect Jakarta from flooding. The first phase involves building a 32-kilometer (20-mile) seawall along the coastline of Jakarta Bay. This massive undertaking is expected to cost billions of dollars, and while the government has received international support, including loans from the Netherlands and Japan, the project has faced delays and budgetary concerns. Some experts worry that even this ambitious project might not be enough, as Jakarta’s land continues to sink from within.
Relocation Plans
In 2019, the Indonesian government announced a bold plan to move the national capital from Jakarta to Nusantara in East Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo. President Joko Widodo explained that Jakarta’s sinking issues, coupled with traffic congestion and pollution, made it necessary to relocate government functions. Nusantara, which is being designed as an eco-friendly, sustainable city, is expected to host government offices and officials. However, with the relocation estimated to take up to a decade, Jakarta’s millions of residents remain vulnerable in the meantime.
The Human Toll and Stories of Resilience in the World’s Fastest Sinking City
Despite the grim outlook, many Jakarta residents have displayed remarkable resilience. Some have raised the foundations of their homes, while others use makeshift boats to navigate flooded streets. These adaptations illustrate the community’s spirit in the face of adversity. In neighborhoods like Muara Baru, where flooding is a part of life, residents have learned to adapt by keeping their valuables elevated or constructing small barriers around homes.
Global Implications of Jakarta’s Sinking
In 2018, the World Economic Forum issued a report highlighting Jakarta’s sinking crisis as a reminder of the urgency of climate action. Cities like Shanghai, New York, and Tokyo, which are vulnerable to sea-level rise, are implementing preventive measures, such as seawalls, elevated buildings, and regulated groundwater extraction. But Jakarta remains an extreme case, illustrating the rapid impacts of urbanization, climate change, and groundwater dependency on city infrastructure.
Conclusion
Jakarta’s status as the world’s fastest-sinking city underscores the urgent need for immediate action. While the government has taken bold steps, such as initiating the NCICD seawall project and relocating the capital, the situation demands more comprehensive solutions. Addressing the core issues—groundwater extraction, urban planning, and climate resilience—will be essential in slowing Jakarta’s descent.
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