As the Earth’s climate continues to become more unpredictable, fluctuating between catastrophic extremes, some cities face being flooded beyond recognition in the not too distant future.
It’s thought that by 2100, global sea levels will have risen by 1.9 metres (6.2ft) if carbon dioxide emissions continue to spike, according to researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
As rainfall is increasing across the world, the chance of more devastating floods is becoming more likely.
So, if global sea levels were to rise this high, many towns and cities could be plunged underwater. The MailOnline turned to Google’s AI image generator, ImageFX, to see what nine cities that are vulnerable to rising sea levels might look like in 2100.
Bangkok, Thailand
With around 11 million people living in Bangkok, this dense metropolitan will have to reconsider its infrastructure to deal with its rising sea levels and sinking land.
It’s thought the city is sinking at around 4cm per year, as the Gulf of Thailand is rising at 0.25cm per year, which means that the city is both sinking and flooding simultaneously.
But ImageFX seems to have a resolution to this – just build higher roads. It shows a city embracing the rising water, with people on boats seemingly to navigating life as normal.
Realistically, however, millions of people will be affected, and transforming the city in such a dramatic manner would take huge amounts of time and money.
Hull, England
Around 90% of Hull is below the high-tide line which, considering sea levels are rising, doesn’t sound good for the city.
Of course with proper sea defences, the former City of Culture could prosper for a bit longer. But this AI doesn’t think so. It seems in 2100, Hull will adopt a hybrid of futuristic looking buildings and traditional architecture.
Hull ranks as the UK’s second most vulnerable city to flooding after London.
New Orleans, USA
With around 50% of greater New Orleans sitting beneath sea level, it’s no surprise this city could be badly affected by rising sea levels.
According to the 2020 census, New Orleans has a population of 383,997, all of whom would likely be affected by the rising waters. It’s thought that New Orleans is sinking at a rate of around 6.4mm per year, with a maximum sinking of up to 40mm per year.
AI reveals a slightly scary sight, which at first looks like it will be hard to navigate. It doesn’t seem like the city has done much to adapt to the flooding, simply with boats using the routes created for cars.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
According to Vietnam News, a survey by the Japan International Cooperation has suggested that Ho Chi Minh City is sinking at a devastating rate of 2-5cm per year.
Areas that have a high concentration of commercial buildings are sinking by 7-8 cm per year. These figures makes it one of the top five fastest-sinking coastal cities in the world.
If the city wants to continue to house its approximate current population of 9 million, it will have to be imaginative. And according to this AI, a dramatic change will be undertaken within the next 75 years.
Ho Chi Minh has opted for high roads too, with large buildings sitting on what seems to be the water’s surface. High rises dominate the skyline, so construction of the city will not slow down anytime soon either.
Are they flying taxis above? Or is that just more tourists?
Hamburg, Germany
Hamburg may not immediately jump to mind as a city that is prone to flooding – but it is.
Although it sits more than 100km from the North Sea, it has lowlands that are vulnerable to both storm surges and heavy rainfall.
Hamburg’s port can be traced back to the 9th century, but it has been elevated twice after two flooding episodes; in 1962 and in 2017. But its position leaves it particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall, inland flooding and storm surges.
According to the AI, the future of the city looks almost Venetian in nature, with far more organisation than other examples.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
This city is known as one with many canals, which total more than 160. However, since there are already bodies of water which run through the heart of the city, you probably could have guessed Amsterdam would make this list.
The Netherlands is sinking already, and it’s no surprise – as its lowest point is 22ft is below sea level. The Netherlands is part of the Low Countries, which sit low, flat and close to the North Sea.
AI imagines Amsterdam as strangely uniform, and still connected through land. It also looks as though there are ride shares, rather than everyone having their own boat. Again, greenery is dotted around suggesting water is good for plants (who knew?). Unfortunately, the days of cycling around Amsterdam would come to an end.
Venice, Italy
Still in Europe, we come to Venice. The city is sinking by around 2mm every year, so in 2100 a lot of it will be reclaimed by the sea.
The city faces of a double whammy of severe flooding and an increase in the frequency of high tides to further compound the issue.
But the city doesn’t look too different overall in 2100, according to AI. There are still canals and gondolas to take you around, so holidays may still be on the cards.
Kolkata, India
Kolkata is among the eight most vulnerable megacities that could be underwater in the next 30 or 40 years. So, if the Indian government wants the city to remain, some massive changes will have to be undertaken.
The city is sinking at a rate of around 2mm per year. However, heavy rains are also causing the city to flood. In October 2024, Cyclone Dana caused severe flooding in Kolkata after dumping over 100mm of rain in a single day.
And in 2020, the Alipore weather monitoring station recorded 236mm of rain in a single day during Storm Amphan, so climate change is really exacerbating these extreme conditions.
The AI image shows massive dome shelters, which could be communal, and much of the city is raised up on stilts and piers to keep it out of the water below.
Gold Coast, Australia
Flooding is a huge problem for the Gold Coast. In December 2024, heavy rain in Brisbane fell at a rate of 70mm per hour in Rosalie, and 77mm per hour in Holland Park West.
In December 2024, Coombabah on the Gold Coast received 77mm of rain in a short period of time, and in the same month the Scenic Rim and Springbrook National Park received up to 265 millimeters of rain in a 24-hour period.
Most of the Gold Coast is only slightly above sea level and therefore vulnerable to rising sea levels and flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, which means that by 2100 a lot of it could be underwater.
And, well, AI has made the once popular tourist destination look almost abandoned. There is a smattering of boats and one large plane – but nothing to see bar the remaining high rises, a few palm trees, and just miles and miles of water.
MORE: Dad missing for over a week in Thailand after failing to board flight back to UK
MORE: Hero pilot Captain Sully reveals two key theories on what caused Washington plane crash
MORE: I spent four days on a train in the Australian outback — it was my idea of hell
