Due to Climate change, ice glaciers are continuously melting and the water flows into our rivers and eventually into the oceans. The water level is continuously rising at an alarming rate and is drowning our coastal cities.

While the world leaders at COP26 are looking for solutions to climate change and the disasters lined up for humanity in the future, the inescapable has already begun happening. Some of the famous and our favorite cities in the world could be underwater before 2030.

Also Read | Finance pledge under focus as COP26 enters final week

Climate Central in its latest report created a map of sorts to assess which parts of the globe will be underwater before the year 2030 due to rising sea levels. The map was created using information from The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body responsible for analyzing science related to climate change.

The list is created based on just one underlying fact that is – the current trajectory o pollution. Due to the lack of any concrete actions in the past decade the following six cities could be partially or entirely underwater in less than a decade from today.

Also Read | COP26: Climate change activists slam world leaders for ‘blowing just hot air’

Here are six cities that could be underwater before 2030:

Amsterdam in the Netherlands

The world-famous city in the Netherlands, Amsterdam is famous for its love for bridges, marijuana with an unrivaled nightlife. But Amsterdam falls in the region known as “Low Countries,” including other cities like Rotterdam and The Hague. While the Dutch have mastered the Science of flood defenses, it seems Amsterdam will be in the direct line on rising sea levels within this decade.

Also Read | How warming affects Arctic sea ice, polar bears

Basra in Iraq

The primary port city of Iraq, Basra is located along the Shatt al-Arab river that falls into the Persian Gulf. Situated near deep wetlands, Basra could partially or completely submerge into the water before this decade ends.

New Orleans in the United States

Climate change does not care about our understanding of the developed or developing. It will affect all territories equally. The only difference will be how well different countries deal with the crisis.

The city of New Orleans has a famous system of levees to protect it from drowning. But the city needs more efforts to see the next decade.

Also Read | Astronaut sounds alarm about climate crisis from space

Venice in Italy

Venice, known for its waterway networks is not a stranger to flooding. Its waterway network is a tourist attraction. According to Timeout, the city is sinking by two millimeters every year and facing the direct effects of rising water levels. Even though Venice has protective measures, more radical efforts may be required to prevent it from submerging.

Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

Ho Chi Ming City in Vietnam could submerge by the end of this decade, if not complete most of its eastern areas that are located near the Mekong River, along the marshy areas of Thru Thiem could submerge.

Also Read | Net-zero on swear words: Greta Thunberg to world leaders over COP26 pledges

Kolkata in India

The capital city of West Bengal in India. The next decade will be challenging for Kolkata if it wants to retain the cultural history associated with the city.

By the year 2030, a major part of Kolkata could face immense flooding, causing the city to submerge. The political leader needs to take climate change and its efforts more seriously.