when will london be underwater

London is at risk of flooding and potentially being underwater due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. Predictions suggest that sea levels in the Thames Estuary could rise by 0.5 to 1 meter by 2100, with a possibility of up to 2 meters in extreme cases. This increase, combined with storm surges and higher river flows, will put pressure on London’s flood defenses. The Thames Barrier, built nearly 40 years ago, may struggle to protect the city after 2030, with some predictions indicating breaches could cause significant flooding in London anytime after that year. Large areas already lie below the height of a high sea-level event expected at least once a year in the near future, and substantial portions of London could experience flooding by 2050. Long-term plans foresee the possibility of a fixed barrage or more robust flood barriers by the end of the century to keep London safe from potentially 3 meters or more of sea-level rise. In summary, flooding threats begin seriously from around 2030 onward, with increasing risk and severity through the 21st century, and parts of London could be underwater by 2050 if sea levels continue to rise as projected.