Groundwater pumping in the Philippines is causing coastal land to sink while the razing of mangrove forests has left the area vulnerable to bigger storm surges from the rising seas. Manila is one of the most vulnerable cities in the world to sea level rise driven by climate change.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Lashed each year by typhoons and stuck with outdated drainage systems, the Philippine capital has been hit by ever-worsening floods. Population growth, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, deforestation and even trash build-up combine to exacerbate the impact. It's a trend experts expect to continue.

Excessive groundwater extraction has led to continual land subsidence, which will eventually result in flooding in many parts of Metro Manila.