Alarming rise in sea levels
Following a flat
and low-lying
landscape, the whole coastal area of Bangladesh is highly vulnerable
to floods and storms caused by rise in sea levels
A recent study has revealed that the rate of annual sea level rise is shooting up at a shocking rate. Not that the rise of sea levels near Bangladeshs coastal regions are new but the concern however is, the pace in rise cannot be controlled or slowed down. Furthermore, published as recent as just last July, the study titled, Assessment of sea level rise on Bangladesh coast through trend analysis, prepared by the The Department of Environment (DoE) has also stated that the highest trend has been observed in the Chittagong and Coxs Bazar regions compared to other two coastal sub-zones of the country. The reason for this variation could be free exposure or close proximity to the sea. However, it is not possible to pinpoint the exact reason for this variation without conducting long-term research. The overall trend in the coastal zone in the last 30 years has been 6-21mm per year while the rate clearly being almost double in the eastern coast compared to the western coast.
Following a flat and low-lying landscape, the whole coastal area of Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to floods and storms caused by rise in sea levels. That having said, almost one-fourth of the total population of Bangladesh live in the coastal areas, where majority of the population are somehow affected, directly or indirectly, by coastal floods or tidal flows, salinity followed by tropical cyclones, erosion of river-bank etc. Rather distressingly, with the rise of sea-level even by a metre, Bangladesh could lose a substantial percentage of its total landmass under the sea water, turning millions of inhabitants living in the coastal areas into climate refugees.
Against the backdrop of this fearful reality, the pressing need is that we collectively start working on effective solutions to encounter potential climate disasters along with other affected countries. Bangladesh must start addressing these above stated concerns with utmost urgency in the global platforms while ensuring prompt, fruitful and pragmatic results.
The main carbon emitting nations must realise that for countries like Bangladesh geographic and environmental scenarios are changing fast, so instead of holding international symposiums, meetings and seminars it is now appearing to be far more crucial to help us to cope with adverse effects of global warming and climate change, specially, in terms of floods, salinity intrusion and droughts, all of which have already begun to drastically affect crop productivity and food security. Moreover, this year we have also witnessed unprecedented erosion of river banks. Research and studies should definitely continue while meetings should be held for meaningful discussions. However, the curse of global warming and alarming rise in sea levels cannot be practically dealt with them only.
