A study led by a scientist from South China Normal University has unveiled alarming findings regarding land subsidence in China's major cities, posing a significant threat to local residents and infrastructure. Reuters reported that, nearly half of China's key urban areas are experiencing "moderate to severe" subsidence, intensifying the risk of flooding, particularly as sea levels surge due to climate change.
The consequences of ground subsidence are multifaceted and severe, causing ground cracks, structural damage to buildings and infrastructure, and heightening the risk of flooding, the study underscores. With China's urban population surpassing 900 mn, even a fraction of land subsidence poses a substantial threat to the nation's well-being. Already, the annual cost of land subsidence to Chinese authorities exceeds 7.5 bn yuan (approximately $1bn).
Among the hardest-hit areas is Tianjin, a northern Chinese city housing over 15 mn residents. Last year, thousands were evacuated from high-rise buildings following the emergence of significant cracks nearby. The local government attributed the incident to a "sudden geological disaster," indicating a possible correlation with drilling for geothermal wells. Mining activities also contribute to the risk, with authorities resorting to filling former coal mining areas with concrete to mitigate subsidence.
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