Jakarta, Tehran & more cities are sinking due to groundwater depletion. In Jakarta poorly enforced regulations have led to excessive illegal groundwater use, and not only by residents. Data from the Jakarta Industrial and Energy Agency show that 4,231 commercial buildings, such as hotels and offices, in the city use groundwater. Besides the uncontrolled usage of groundwater, land subsidence has been aggravated by a lack of green spaces, as concrete and asphalt prevents the absorption of water into the soil.⠀
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In Tehran groundwater depletion has been attributed to drought, dam construction, a booming population and illegal well drilling.⠀
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Across the world we’re using more and more of our precious groundwater. We’re going to talk about this a lilttle more.⠀
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P.S. A side effect of the subsidence is the sudden appearance of giant cracks and sinkholes in some areas.
