Oman Announces 2035 Plan to Build Underwater Cities as Climate Refugees Seek Shelter in the Arabian Sea
Muscat, Oman – In a bold move that has stunned global policymakers, the Sultanate of Oman has unveiled a $200 billion initiative to construct the world’s first network of self-sustaining underwater cities by 2035, designed to house over 500,000 climate refugees fleeing rising sea levels. The project, named "The Pearl of the Gulf," will feature domed habitats powered by tidal energy and oceanic desalination, with luxury tourism modules reserved for high-paying visitors. Critics are already dubbing it "Oman's Atlantis," while tech moguls are scrambling for contracts. "We are turning a crisis into an opportunity," said Omani Minister of Economic Diversification Dr. Laila Al-Harthi, as countries like the Maldives and Bangladesh watch closely. With predictions of 200 million climate migrants by 2040, Oman is positioning itself as the world's first underwater urban hub. The first module is set to break ground in 2027.