# Global water cycle instability and land subsidence > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-water-cycle-instability-and-land-subsidence > Updated: 2026-09-30T10:09:02.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. The United Nations and the World Meteorological Organization have warned of a destabilizing global water cycle, marked by a decade-long decline in freshwater reserves including groundwater, lakes, rivers, and soil moisture. This imbalance is driven by rising temperatures and the El Niño phenomenon, leading to the rapid depletion of ‘slow reserves’ such as glaciers and groundwater. This depletion is causing significant land subsidence, where the ground surface sinks due to excessive groundwater extraction. This phenomenon is particularly dangerous in coastal regions as it exacerbates the impact of rising sea levels. Specific hotspots include Jakarta, where parts of the capital sink by more than ten centimeters annually, and Tianjin, China. Other affected areas include San Diego in the United States, various cities in Iran, and parts of New Zealand. While rising sea levels threaten metropolises like New York and Venice, research suggests that land subsidence may be reversible through groundwater replenishment, with fault lines playing a role in determining the speed of land uplift. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: Groundwater depletion causes global land subsidence Global cities are sinking due to groundwater depletion, increasing vulnerability to rising sea levels, though research indicates land uplift is possible through aquifer replenishment. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/groundwater-depletion-causes-global-land-subsidence ### 2026-09-19: Global water reserves and major cities face critical climate threats The UN and WMO warn of a global water crisis as freshwater reserves, glaciers, and groundwater deplete rapidly due to climate change and rising sea levels threatening major cities. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-water-reserves-and-major-cities-face-critical-climate-threats --- Cite as: Global water cycle instability and land subsidence. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-water-cycle-instability-and-land-subsidence