Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Assessment in Bangladesh

Vol. 12: 109–116, 1999

CLIMATE RESEARCH Clim Res

Published August 27

Climate change impacts and adaptation assessment in Bangladesh
Anwar Ali*
Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO), Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT: Bangladesh is likely to be one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. This paper discusses the possible impacts of climate change in Bangladesh through tropical cyclones, storm surges, coastal erosion and back water effect. The possible increase in cyclone frequency in the Bay of Bengal, lying south of Bangladesh, due to climate change is looked at by analyzing the cyclone data for 119 yr. Both qualitative and quantitative discussions are made on cyclone intensity increase for a sea surface temperature rise of 2 and 4°C. Different scenarios of storm surges under different climate change conditions are developed by using a numerical model of storm surges for the Bay of Bengal. Possible loss of land through beach erosion due to sea level rise on the eastern coast of Bangladesh is examined. Some discussions are also made on the impacts of back water effect due to sea level rise on flood situations in the country. Finally, a few remarks are made on the adaptation options for Bangladesh in the event of climate change. KEY WORDS: Bangladesh · Climate change · Impacts · Tropical cyclone · Storm surge · Erosion · Back water effect · Adaptations

1. INTRODUCTION Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country. Almost every year, the country experiences disasters of one kind or another — such as tropical cyclones, storm surges, coastal erosion, floods, and droughts — causing heavy loss of life and property and jeopardizing the development activities. The country is already beset with many problems like high population density (120 million people living in an area of 144 000 km2), shortage of land to accommodate the people, food security, human health, illiteracy, and so forth. The

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