Rising sea levels have continued to threaten the island of Maldives, prompting the country to seek renewed international help, according to reports as of Saturday, May 25. Amid the climate crisis, ocean water is gradually swallowing some areas of the South Asian nation, putting both residential and commercial establishments at risk and forcing inhabitants to relocate away from low-lying areas.

To address the climate change-driven existential threat, Maldives in previous years has conceptualized and proposed different measures against coastal erosion. This initiative is to mitigate or prevent flooding caused by sea level rise. Relocation is one of these measures, as well as the creation of fortress islands, as announced by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in 2023.

The concept of a floating city is also a potential solution being sought by Maldives, which scientific projections estimated could become submerged or uninhabitable by the year 2050. Scientists attribute the phenomenon of rising sea level with climate change and glacier melt. Based on recent research, data shows the melting of the "Doomsday Glacier" Thwaites could worsen sea level rise.

In a series of developments surrounding Maldives and its struggle with sea level rise, President Muizzu expressed the need for international financial help. According to reports, the Maldivian Government is seeking approximately $500 million to mitigate the impacts of climate change. One of the reasons is that the tourism-dependent economy is unable to improve the situation.