Silent Sinking: India's Megacities Face Land Subsidence Threat

A recent study has unveiled concerning signs of land subsidence in five major Indian megacities, including New Delhi and Chennai, putting 1.9 million residents at risk as subsidence rates surpass four millimeters annually.

The research, conducted by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, utilized satellite imagery from 2015 to 2023 to track changes, revealing that over 2,400 buildings already face significant structural risks. The study identified excessive groundwater use and dense urban infrastructure as key contributors to the subsidence.

Experts warn that if the sinking is not managed, more than 23,500 buildings could suffer severe damage over the next 50 years. The phenomenon intensifies threats from natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, particularly with New Delhi projected to become the world's largest megacity by 2030.