Shock findings by the Institute for Global Warming and Sea Level Changes have revealed that much of the Cape Flats and the Fish Hoek valley will be submerged within 20 to 30 years as sea levels rise with global warming.
The report, which was leaked to the Cape Times, has been kept under wraps for fear of creating panic and causing havoc with property prices.
Compiled by leading international climate-change experts, the study says sea levels could rise as much as 3m worldwide in the next 20 to 30 years.
This will have devastating consequences for many low-lying countries. In Cape Town it would result in the flooding of the Cape Flats and turn Table Mountain and the southern section of the peninsula into an island.
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Many residents in the northern suburbs will have seafront properties The Fish Hoek-Noordhoek valley will also be partially submerged, connected by a small land bridge in the centre of the valley.
The Foreshore, Green Point, Mouille Point and Milnerton will be under water, as well as much of the Hout Bay valley, the Strand and Gordon's Bay.
Many residents in the northern suburbs will have seafront properties.
The report is expected to cause chaos in the real estate and insurance businesses.
On Monday the Cape Times established that several authorities were aware of the findings of the report and had commissioned confidential studies to plan for the inundation.
Robben Island, one of Cape Town's most historic landmarks, will be completely submerged The Western Cape government is planning a series of workshops next year to inform the public about the sea level changes, and the predicted sea floodlines are expected to be published in the Government Gazette next year.
A spokesperson for the City of Cape Town said on Monday its planning department had commissioned an urgent study into the effects of the sea level changes on the metropolitan transport system.
"We're considering whether it is more feasible to build a channel linking Table Mountain to the mainland, similar to the one linking France and the UK, or whether a suspension bridge is a better option.
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