Regional Trends of Sea Level Rise along the Coast of Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the growing threat of climate change induced sea level rise. Considering the potential severe impacts that sea level rise will have on the coastal population and the country’s economy, it has become very important to know about the regional trends of changing sea levels along the coastlands of Bangladesh. The present study attempted to portray a representative scenario of sea level rise in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Historic tide gauge records, ranging from 20 to 45 years, were used to determine reliable trends at multiple locations along the coast. Linear regression method was applied to derive the changing trend of annual high, mean and low tidal water levels. The location-specific trends of sea level rise determined in this study can be helpful to planners and policy makers to combat the emerging threat of SLR in a more efficient manner.

Bangladesh: Climate Change Issues, Mitigation, and Adaptation in the Water Sector

“…111 Furthermore, the coastal zones (exposed and interior coasts) are grouped into three distinct geomorphological regions, which are western, central, and eastern zones. 112,113 The western coastal zone is covered by the Sundarbans and covers coastal Khulna Division as well as parts of Patuakhali District. 112 The central coastal zone is connected to the GBM Rivers, and during the monsoon season, the GBM system channels out massive quantities of water along with approximately 1.0−2.4 billion tons of sediment load annually.…”

“…Moreover, a total of 48 upazillas in 12 administrative districts are classified as “exposed coasts” owing to their exposure to the sea and/or lower estuaries, and the rest of the 99 upazillas of the coastal districts are classified as “interior coast” because these are located behind the exposed coast . Furthermore, the coastal zones (exposed and interior coasts) are grouped into three distinct geomorphological regions, which are western, central, and eastern zones. , The western coastal zone is covered by the Sundarbans and covers coastal Khulna Division as well as parts of Patuakhali District . The central coastal zone is connected to the GBM Rivers, and during the monsoon season, the GBM system channels out massive quantities of water along with approximately 1.0–2.4 billion tons of sediment load annually .…”