The Indonesian capital of Jakarta is facing a serious problem. Researchers say the city is sinking faster than expected and it could be submerged by 2050 if left unchecked. Climate change is making matters worse, but geography plays a part and so do illegal corporate practices. Our correspondent Silkina Ahluwalia has more.

One of Asia's biggest cities is dealing with a sinking problem. Research has found that Jakarta, home to more than 10 million people, is one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world.

The prediction by experts from Bandung Institute of Technology states that 95 percent of North Jakarta could be underwater in the next 35 years.

It's a grim prediction for Ardi Yanto, who's been living in Muara Baru, an area in North Jakarta for more than two decades.

ARDI YANTO RESIDENT OF MUARA BARU "My mother told me that when I was younger, if we were to compare the water levels and land, you could still tell that the land was higher. But I think because of rapid urbanization, the building of skyscrapers in this area, the land here keeps sinking up to here. They have rebuilt and fixed this wall at least three times now. It keeps falling apart. This alleyway used to be much wider."

Ardi's family has been living in this house for nearly 50 years. Their livelihoods are based here. But experts say communities that live in areas they call "blue spaces" are at high risk of being forced to flee their homes.

DR. JAN SOPAHELUWAKAN GEOTECHNOLOGY PROFESSOR, INDONESIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCES "You have 13 rivers in Jakarta, the capacity to accommodate months of water flowing on the surface is decreasing, you know, because you get, for example, there's a river in South Jakarta that's normally 16 meters, now it's only 1 or 2 meters. This is not unique or only in a particular location."

Climate change is responsible for the increasing flood levels in coastal megacities like Jakarta, and it is causing the sea to rise even faster than expected.

It's estimated that Jakarta is sinking by an average of 15 centimeters per year, with almost half of the city already sitting below sea level.

SILKINA AHLUWALIA JAKARTA, INDONESIA "This particular area where I am right now is the center of Jakarta. This is the icon of the city. You can see I'm surrounded by office buildings, five-star hotels and large shopping malls. Scientists say at least 5000 years ago, this area was a blue space which basically means it was entirely covered with water. Even today, research has found that many of the buildings here have their own groundwater pump and are extracting water without permission or a license."

The Indonesian government says it is investigating those landowners and businesses that are making things worse. Meanwhile, experts suggest strengthening mangrove restoration projects in some parts of Jakarta to preserve and foster the city's ecosystem.

Silkina Ahluwalia, CGTN, Jakarta.