Staff Reporter Dhaka, March 1, 2026 :

While global concern over rising sea levels due to climate change continues, a new study reveals that at least 40 major cities worldwide are rapidly sinking. Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, is among them.

A recent analysis published in the international scientific journal Nature examined detailed maps of 40 major river delta regions worldwide. The study found that in many cities, the rate of land subsidence exceeds the rate of sea-level rise, significantly increasing the risk of floods, waterlogging, and infrastructure damage.

According to the research, although delta regions account for just 1 percent of the world’s land area, they are home to approximately 5 billion people. Out of the world’s 34 largest cities, at least 10 are located in such low-lying delta areas. Population pressure, unplanned urbanization, and excessive groundwater extraction are causing the land in these regions to sink gradually.

Cities in the Ganges Delta, including Dhaka and Kolkata, Alexandria along the Nile, Shanghai on the Yangtze, and Ho Chi Minh City in the Mekong Delta, are identified as high-risk areas. These cities are not only densely populated but also economically critical, hosting major ports, industrial zones, and transport infrastructure. Even small rates of land subsidence can therefore result in substantial economic losses.

Researchers report that in at least 18 of the 40 deltas, land is sinking faster than sea levels are rising. Rapid urban expansion and disrupted natural sediment flow are accelerating this process.

In addition, the risk of earthquakes is drawing renewed concern among experts. Bangladesh lies close to seismically active regions. The Dauki and Madhupur fault lines, along with the nearby Myanmar coastal subduction zone, have long been identified as active. Historical events, such as the 1897 earthquake (magnitude ~8.1) and the major 1918 earthquake, caused extensive damage in the region.

Geologists warn that if a mega-earthquake of magnitude 8–9 were to strike a fault line near Dhaka in the future, the consequences could be catastrophic. Much of Dhaka is built on soft alluvial soil, which can amplify seismic shaking several times over. If this is combined with ongoing land subsidence, ground stability could be severely compromised.

Experts caution that in such a scenario, multiple disasters could occur simultaneously: multi-story building collapses, road and bridge fractures, gas line explosions, electricity grid failures, and fires. In many areas, landslides and soil liquefaction could even cause entire neighborhoods or blocks to collapse.

Disaster analysts note that if land subsidence, waterlogging, and an 8–9 magnitude earthquake occur together, large parts of the capital could face severe damage. In extreme circumstances, extensive areas of Dhaka becoming uninhabitable or sinking deeply is not unimaginable—a warning echoed by several specialists.

However, experts emphasize that this is not an inevitable outcome but a risk. Timely and effective measures can significantly reduce the scale of potential disasters. Implementing strict earthquake-resistant building codes, creating a registry of high-risk buildings, regulating groundwater extraction, restoring rivers and canals, and adopting integrated urban planning are now urgent priorities.

Environmentalists and urban specialists view the study’s findings as a clear warning for policymakers. They stress that it is not enough to have paper plans—effective implementation, monitoring, and public awareness are essential. Citizens must also be included in earthquake preparedness programs, safe building selection, and emergency response training.

Dhaka is silently sinking—this is not meant to alarm, but to alert. Without coordinated action now, future potential disasters could spiral out of control. Acting proactively while there is still time may be the only effective way to protect the capital.