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© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
Tehran, Iran
- Tehran, the capital of Iran, has a population of over 15 million and is situated on one of the world's most perilous fault lines, putting all of its inhabitants at risk.
© Reuters
1 / 31 Fotos
Tehran, Iran
- Tehran's residents face the threat of earthquakes, leading to discussions about shifting the capital to a different city. Over the past years, several earthquakes have caused injuries to hundreds of people.
© Reuters
2 / 31 Fotos
Shanghai, China
- The most populous city in China is located on the Yangtze River Delta, making it vulnerable to severe floods, storms, and typhoons.
© Reuters
3 / 31 Fotos
Shanghai, China
- Around 17 million people are potentially at risk of being impacted by natural disasters. The extensive coastline is ready to spill over and cause destruction.
© Reuters
4 / 31 Fotos
Kolkata, India
- Approximately 18 million people live around Kolkata, a city situated near the largest river delta in the world. The ancient drainage system of the city is rendered ineffective by frequent and recurring floods.
© Reuters
5 / 31 Fotos
Kolkata, India
- Kolkata, a city lacking sufficient infrastructure, frequently experiences storms, cyclones, and tsunamis, posing significant challenges to its residents.
© Reuters
6 / 31 Fotos
Nagoya, Japan
- Nagoya, with a population of nearly 2.3 million, faces a significant threat from natural disasters due to its location along the Ring of Fire. These fault lines account for approximately 90% of global earthquake occurrences.
© Reuters
7 / 31 Fotos
Nagoya, Japan
- Nagoya faces a significant threat from tsunamis, with a devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake claiming up to 6,700 lives in 2014.
© Reuters
8 / 31 Fotos
Jakarta, Indonesia
- The absence of reliable infrastructure leaves approximately 30 million people in Jakarta vulnerable to natural calamities.
© Reuters
9 / 31 Fotos
Jakarta, Indonesia
- Surprisingly, Jakarta has 40% of its land below sea level, making it susceptible to flooding.
© Reuters
10 / 31 Fotos
Osaka, Japan
- Osaka has experienced frequent natural disasters, such as the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake, causing significant destruction. The Osaka-Kobe area is home to over 32 million people facing potential risks.
© Reuters
11 / 31 Fotos
Osaka, Japan
- Due to its coastal plain location, the city faces vulnerability to natural disasters.
© Reuters
12 / 31 Fotos
Pearl River Delta, China
- Around 35 million people residing in the low-lying Pearl River Delta face potential risks from natural disasters. The high population density exacerbates the vulnerability of this city during times of trouble.
© Reuters
13 / 31 Fotos
Pearl River Delta, China
- This region is widely regarded as the most vulnerable to storm surges and ranks third highest for cyclone damage. Additionally, river floods are also frequently observed.
© Reuters
14 / 31 Fotos
Manila, Philippines
- Manila is densely populated, with half of its residents at risk of damage from earthquakes and deadly storms.
© Reuters
15 / 31 Fotos
Manila, Philippines
- In 2010, Manila was struck by Typhoon Megi, which killed 69 people. In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda caused even greater damage and killed 6,000 people across the Philippines.
© Reuters
16 / 31 Fotos
Los Angeles, California
- Los Angeles faces a significant threat of natural disasters. Located on the San Andreas Fault, the region experiences frequent earthquakes. This geographical vulnerability poses a constant risk to the area.
© Reuters
17 / 31 Fotos
Los Angeles, California
- Over 14 million people living in the area are facing the threat of earthquakes and deadly wildfires that are connected to climate change.
© Reuters
18 / 31 Fotos
Tokyo, Japan
- The city of the future remains vulnerable to monsoons, river floods, and earthquakes, which threaten approximately 80% of its inhabitants with serious danger.
© Reuters
19 / 31 Fotos
Tokyo, Japan
- Tokyo is situated on a fault line in the Pacific and is at great risk from tsunamis. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami are recent examples of the devastation nature can cause.
© Reuters
20 / 31 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina
- With a population of nearly 14 million, Buenos Aires faces the risks of overheating and flooding due to heavy rainfall.
© Reuters
21 / 31 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Fortunately, Buenos Aires has never experienced a severely catastrophic natural disaster. However, its insufficient infrastructure increases the city's susceptibility to flooding, which can destroy homes and take lives.
© Reuters
22 / 31 Fotos
Karachi, Pakistan
- Karachi experiences frequent heavy rainfall and flooding, with the increasing likelihood of floods each year. This Pakistani city also witnesses occurrences of cyclones, droughts, and landslides.
© Reuters
23 / 31 Fotos
Karachi, Pakistan
- In 2005, a powerful earthquake struck Pakistan, resulting in more than 6,700 fatalities. In August 2020, Karachi was struck by severe flooding that caused widespread damage to homes and public infrastructure, and killed at least 40 people.
© Reuters
24 / 31 Fotos
Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Dhaka, a fast-growing city, is among the 20 cities most prone to earthquakes globally due to its urban development.
© Reuters
25 / 31 Fotos
Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Dhaka's droughts, floods, and cyclones have the potential to impact more than 15 million people. The high population density further complicates problem-solving during emergencies.
© Reuters
26 / 31 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil
- Flash flooding is a recurring issue in São Paulo, posing a potential threat to approximately 20 million residents.
© Reuters
27 / 31 Fotos
Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Dozens of people tragically lost their lives due to flooding and landslides in 2011, sparking criticism towards governing bodies for inadequate disaster planning.
© Reuters
28 / 31 Fotos
New York City, New York
- Although New York City is known for its wealth and prestige, the surrounding region has historically suffered significant damage from natural disasters.
© Reuters
29 / 31 Fotos
New York City, New York
- In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage in the metro New York area. Despite a strong infrastructure, the city's coastal location puts over 20 million people at risk for floods and rising sea levels.
See also: The first country impacted by climate change
© Reuters
30 / 31 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
Tehran, Iran
- Tehran, the capital of Iran, has a population of over 15 million and is situated on one of the world's most perilous fault lines, putting all of its inhabitants at risk.
© Reuters
1 / 31 Fotos
Tehran, Iran
- Tehran's residents face the threat of earthquakes, leading to discussions about shifting the capital to a different city. Over the past years, several earthquakes have caused injuries to hundreds of people.
© Reuters
2 / 31 Fotos
Shanghai, China
- The most populous city in China is located on the Yangtze River Delta, making it vulnerable to severe floods, storms, and typhoons.
© Reuters
3 / 31 Fotos
Shanghai, China
- Around 17 million people are potentially at risk of being impacted by natural disasters. The extensive coastline is ready to spill over and cause destruction.
© Reuters
4 / 31 Fotos
Kolkata, India
- Approximately 18 million people live around Kolkata, a city situated near the largest river delta in the world. The ancient drainage system of the city is rendered ineffective by frequent and recurring floods.
© Reuters
5 / 31 Fotos
Kolkata, India
- Kolkata, a city lacking sufficient infrastructure, frequently experiences storms, cyclones, and tsunamis, posing significant challenges to its residents.
© Reuters
6 / 31 Fotos
Nagoya, Japan
- Nagoya, with a population of nearly 2.3 million, faces a significant threat from natural disasters due to its location along the Ring of Fire. These fault lines account for approximately 90% of global earthquake occurrences.
© Reuters
7 / 31 Fotos
Nagoya, Japan
- Nagoya faces a significant threat from tsunamis, with a devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake claiming up to 6,700 lives in 2014.
© Reuters
8 / 31 Fotos
Jakarta, Indonesia
- The absence of reliable infrastructure leaves approximately 30 million people in Jakarta vulnerable to natural calamities.
© Reuters
9 / 31 Fotos
Jakarta, Indonesia
- Surprisingly, Jakarta has 40% of its land below sea level, making it susceptible to flooding.
© Reuters
10 / 31 Fotos
Osaka, Japan
- Osaka has experienced frequent natural disasters, such as the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake, causing significant destruction. The Osaka-Kobe area is home to over 32 million people facing potential risks.
© Reuters
11 / 31 Fotos
Osaka, Japan
- Due to its coastal plain location, the city faces vulnerability to natural disasters.
© Reuters
12 / 31 Fotos
Pearl River Delta, China
- Around 35 million people residing in the low-lying Pearl River Delta face potential risks from natural disasters. The high population density exacerbates the vulnerability of this city during times of trouble.
© Reuters
13 / 31 Fotos
Pearl River Delta, China
- This region is widely regarded as the most vulnerable to storm surges and ranks third highest for cyclone damage. Additionally, river floods are also frequently observed.
© Reuters
14 / 31 Fotos
Manila, Philippines
- Manila is densely populated, with half of its residents at risk of damage from earthquakes and deadly storms.
© Reuters
15 / 31 Fotos
Manila, Philippines
- In 2010, Manila was struck by Typhoon Megi, which killed 69 people. In 2013, Typhoon Yolanda caused even greater damage and killed 6,000 people across the Philippines.
© Reuters
16 / 31 Fotos
Los Angeles, California
- Los Angeles faces a significant threat of natural disasters. Located on the San Andreas Fault, the region experiences frequent earthquakes. This geographical vulnerability poses a constant risk to the area.
© Reuters
17 / 31 Fotos
Los Angeles, California
- Over 14 million people living in the area are facing the threat of earthquakes and deadly wildfires that are connected to climate change.
© Reuters
18 / 31 Fotos
Tokyo, Japan
- The city of the future remains vulnerable to monsoons, river floods, and earthquakes, which threaten approximately 80% of its inhabitants with serious danger.
© Reuters
19 / 31 Fotos
Tokyo, Japan
- Tokyo is situated on a fault line in the Pacific and is at great risk from tsunamis. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami are recent examples of the devastation nature can cause.
© Reuters
20 / 31 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina
- With a population of nearly 14 million, Buenos Aires faces the risks of overheating and flooding due to heavy rainfall.
© Reuters
21 / 31 Fotos
Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Fortunately, Buenos Aires has never experienced a severely catastrophic natural disaster. However, its insufficient infrastructure increases the city's susceptibility to flooding, which can destroy homes and take lives.
© Reuters
22 / 31 Fotos
Karachi, Pakistan
- Karachi experiences frequent heavy rainfall and flooding, with the increasing likelihood of floods each year. This Pakistani city also witnesses occurrences of cyclones, droughts, and landslides.
© Reuters
23 / 31 Fotos
Karachi, Pakistan
- In 2005, a powerful earthquake struck Pakistan, resulting in more than 6,700 fatalities. In August 2020, Karachi was struck by severe flooding that caused widespread damage to homes and public infrastructure, and killed at least 40 people.
© Reuters
24 / 31 Fotos
Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Dhaka, a fast-growing city, is among the 20 cities most prone to earthquakes globally due to its urban development.
© Reuters
25 / 31 Fotos
Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Dhaka's droughts, floods, and cyclones have the potential to impact more than 15 million people. The high population density further complicates problem-solving during emergencies.
© Reuters
26 / 31 Fotos
São Paulo, Brazil
- Flash flooding is a recurring issue in São Paulo, posing a potential threat to approximately 20 million residents.
© Reuters
27 / 31 Fotos
Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Dozens of people tragically lost their lives due to flooding and landslides in 2011, sparking criticism towards governing bodies for inadequate disaster planning.
© Reuters
28 / 31 Fotos
New York City, New York
- Although New York City is known for its wealth and prestige, the surrounding region has historically suffered significant damage from natural disasters.
© Reuters
29 / 31 Fotos
New York City, New York
- In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage in the metro New York area. Despite a strong infrastructure, the city's coastal location puts over 20 million people at risk for floods and rising sea levels.
See also: The first country impacted by climate change
© Reuters
30 / 31 Fotos
Major cities vulnerable to natural disasters
Urban centers brace for the impact of increasing environmental threats
© Getty Images
When selecting a place to live or visit, weather is an important factor to consider. Mediterranean countries are popular due to their warm waters, while Scandinavian nations enjoy their icy cold temperatures. However, there are some destinations that possess entirely different climates. Take Tokyo and New York City, for example. These attractive locations draw millions but are also cities at high risk of natural disasters.
There are supercities worldwide that are susceptible to typhoons, tsunamis, wildfires, and even earthquakes. To find out more about the places where nature's fury could strike at any moment, click through the gallery.
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