Severe flooding in parts of the Marshall Islands capital Majuro has underlined the country’s vulnerability to rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
According to the United Nations over 600 people were evacuated from their homes after high tides boosted by storm surges sent water pouring through the streets of the capital.
Videos posted on Facebook show water mixed with sewage and rubbish pouring through streets.
Local media reports no serious injuries, but evacuations started as seas poured into parts of town, highlighting acute dangers of rising sea levels in Pacific
The United States Embassy in Majuro said water started to swamp areas at during the early hours of the morning.
Parts of Majuro are only 30 centimetres above the sea, and are frequently flooded at this time of year due to a series of ‘king tides’.
These are a natural part of tidal cycles and not linked to climate change, but they do give an idea of what higher sea levels could look like.
On average the Marshall Islands are about one metre above sea level and the country is under serious threat of the impact of rising sea levels as a result of climate change.
The latest UN climate science report produced by the IPCC confirmed sea levels have risen by around 20cm since 1900, and could rise by as much as 74cm by 2100.
Last year Pacific Island leaders signed the Majuro Declaration, seeking to raise awareness of the threat climate change poses to their way of life.
One Response
We forget the impact that rising sea levels will have on countries other than our own, this is a terrible glimpse into the future