China Half Of All Major Cities Are Sinking Warns Study

The number of cities in the world is increasing rapidly. But big cities of a country are rapidly sinking into the ground. This country is China, more than half of whose big cities are sinking into the earth. A study has recently been published in the journal Science which says that China’s big cities are not able to bear the burden of buildings. Besides, rapid emptying of water from the ground is also a reason due to which they are rapidly sinking into the ground. This has put the lives of lakhs of people in danger.

China Big cities like Beijing, Tianjin etc. are sinking into the ground. 45% of China’s urban land is sinking at a rate of more than 3mm every year. Whereas 16 percent of the land is sinking at the rate of 10 mm every year. For research, scientists measured the rate of land subsidence in every Chinese city with a population of more than 2 million between 2015 and 2022. It was found that out of 82 cities, some cities were sinking very fast. One in 10 cities is sinking at a rate of 10mm per year.

China’s largest city Shanghai has sunk 3 meters so far in the last century. The city is sinking up to 45mm every year around its subways and highways. Report According to, there can be many reasons for subsidence. Of which extraction of underground water is also one. The weight of buildings can also be a reason. Skyscrapers are being built rapidly. The road system is being expanded. And along with this, underground water is being exploited rapidly.

Other factors have also been attributed to the urban transport system. Researchers have said that if we look at the long-term solution, then to save the cities in China from sinking, the process of rapid depletion of its groundwater will have to be stopped. Researchers warn that this new study calls for national awareness of this type of problem. It is very important for any country to be aware of this kind of problem, not only in China but also outside China.