India's Silent Urban Sinking Crisis

India's megacities are facing a substantial threat as nearly 900 square kilometers of land across five major urban areas, including New Delhi and Chennai, are found to be subsiding. This geological concern places 19 lakh individuals at risk, with subsidence rates exceeding four millimeters per year, according to a recent study.

The research, conducted by experts including those from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the United States, analyzed satellite data from 2015 to 2023. It unveiled that over 2,400 buildings are currently at high risk of structural damage. Moreover, excessive groundwater extraction and the heavy weight of urban infrastructure have been pinpointed as significant contributors to this alarming trend.

The study published in Nature Sustainability warns that if current subsidence trends continue, more than 23,500 buildings may suffer severe structural damage within the next half-century. Researchers emphasize the urgency for cities to adapt infrastructure and groundwater management policies to avert future disasters.