Part 2/13:
In the Netherlands, a country renowned for its battle with water, an extensive network of flood defenses demonstrates how proactive engineering can safeguard cities against rising sea levels and storm surges. A prominent feature is a storm barrier located outside Rotterdam, which sits three meters below sea level and is sinking gradually. This barrier operates as a critical shield: during storm surges from the North Sea, a gate is lowered to prevent floodwaters from inundating the city.