Part 7/11:
However, this urbanization exacerbates environmental concerns, including waste management and shoreline erosion. The city is increasingly vulnerable to flooding, coastal erosion, and the threat of rising sea levels. The entire nation, barely above 1.5 meters in elevation, faces potential submersion—projections warn that by 2100, much of the Maldives could be underwater if global climate action remains insufficient.
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami served as a stark reminder of these vulnerabilities, prompting the government to build seawalls and reclaim land at higher elevations to defend against future disasters.