EARTH SCIENCE SYSTEM

ASSIGNMENT
NAME: VINAYAK SARIN

ROLL NO: M2023BSASS033

 BANGLADESH SEA LEVEL RISING CRISIS

“When a powerful storm destroyed her riverside home in 2009, Jahanara Khatun lost
more than the modest roof over her head. In the aftermath, her husband died, and she
became so destitute that she sold her son and daughter into bonded servitude. And she
may lose yet more.” This is a news article from the New York Times. Like this, there are
many stories for the people of Bangladesh to tell.

Our neighbouring country, Bangladesh, is experiencing a faster sea-level rise than the
global average. The increasing frequency and intensity of cyclones in Bangladesh are
primarily attributed to climate change. As global temperatures rise, so does the temperature
of the ocean surface, providing more energy for cyclones to form and intensify. Additionally,
melting polar ice caps and glaciers contribute to rising sea levels, exacerbating the impact of
storm surges during cyclonic events. Bangladesh's geographical location in the Bay of Bengal
makes it particularly vulnerable, as this area is a hotspot for cyclonic activity due to its warm,
shallow waters and favourable atmospheric conditions.

From the video, we can see how worse their life is. Availability of fresh water, Health issues,
and Education are some of the major problems faced by the citizens of Bangladesh. Frequent
cyclones, such as Cyclone Sidr, Cyclone Aila, etc., have been worsening the country. The
consequences of these environmental changes are severe. Coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion,
and frequent flooding are becoming more common, threatening agriculture, freshwater
supplies, and the livelihoods of millions. The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest
and a vital natural barrier against storm surges are also at risk. Deforestation and
environmental degradation further weaken the country's resilience to natural disasters.
Bangladesh's densely populated coastal regions are often hit hardest, leading to loss of life,
displacement, and economic hardship.

The 2017 monsoon season had a devastating impact on the lives of people in Bangladesh's
coastal regions. The monsoon brought unprecedented rainfall, exceeding seasonal averages
and leading to widespread flooding nationwide. This extreme precipitation overwhelmed
drainage systems and river networks, causing rivers to burst banks and flood vast land areas.
The increased runoff and sedimentation altered river morphology and dynamics, affecting
aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. The flood disrupted the natural flow patterns of rivers
and groundwater, exacerbating waterlogging and salinity intrusion in coastal regions.
Groundwater depletion due to excessive extraction compounded water scarcity issues,
challenging agricultural productivity and freshwater availability for communities. The
monsoon-induced flooding triggered extensive soil erosion and sediment transport, affecting
land stability and agricultural fertility. The geomorphological changes reshaped landscapes
and altered natural habitats, posing long-term challenges for ecosystem recovery and
biodiversity conservation efforts. Flooding coastal habitats, including wetlands and
mangroves, had a domino effect on ecosystem services and biodiversity.

Mangrove forests, crucial for coastal protection and carbon sequestration, suffered damage,
compromising their ability to mitigate storm surges and climate impacts. Loss of habitat and
food sources affected wildlife populations, impacting the balance of fragile ecosystems
dependent on these habitats. It also had profound implications for human populations in
Bangladesh. It disrupted livelihoods dependent on agriculture and fisheries, causing food
insecurity and economic losses. Often living in flood-prone areas with inadequate
infrastructure and resources, vulnerable communities faced heightened displacement risks,
waterborne diseases, and social disruption.

Despite these many problems, Bangladesh implemented several solutions to overcome the
devastating impacts and enhance future resilience. In collaboration with international aid
organisations, the government prioritised immediate relief efforts, distributing food, clean
water, and medical supplies to affected communities. To address the urgent health crises,
mobile medical teams were deployed to treat waterborne diseases and offer essential
healthcare services. Early warning systems improved, ensuring communities received timely
information about impending floods. Infrastructure projects, such as the construction of
flood-resistant housing and the elevation of roads and bridges, were undertaken to mitigate
future flood risks. The government also promoted climate-resilient agricultural practices,
encouraging farmers to adopt flood-tolerant crop varieties and diversify their livelihoods to
reduce dependence on vulnerable agriculture. The government initiated extensive mangrove
reforestation projects in coastal areas, leveraging mangroves’ natural ability to buffer storm
surges and reduce coastal erosion. Sustainable agricultural practices, including promoting
flood-tolerant crop varieties and organic farming, were introduced to mitigate the impacts of
saltwater intrusion and soil degradation. Rainwater harvesting systems were also
implemented to secure clean water supplies during floods.