Question: Why Is Bangladesh So At Risk From Coastal Flooding?

Bangladesh is one of the most flood-prone countries in the world due to its unique geographical location, topography and exposure to tropical cyclones. With 50% of the land less than 8 meters above sea level, and a coastline of some 600 km, coastal flooding is a common problem, as witnessed once again in 2017.

Why is Bangladesh vulnerable to flooding?

Bangladesh is a land of many rivers. It is very prone to flooding due to being situated on the Brahmaputra River Delta (also known as the Ganges Delta) and the many distributaries flowing into the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh faces this problem almost every year.

Why is Bangladesh especially vulnerable to coastal disaster?

Bangladesh’s flat topography, low-lying and climatic features, combined with its population density and socio-economic environment, make it highly susceptible to many natural hazards, including floods, droughts, cyclones and earthquakes.

Why is Bangladesh at risk of rising sea levels?

Low-lying coastal regions, such as Bangladesh, are vulnerable to sea level rise and the increased occurrence of intense, extreme weather conditions such as the cyclones of 2007–2009, as well as the melting of polar ice.

Why is the risk of coastal flooding very high?

Rising sea level inundates low-lying wetlands and dry land, erodes shorelines, contributes to coastal flooding, and increases the flow of salt water into estuaries and nearby groundwater aquifers. Higher sea level also makes coastal infrastructure more vulnerable to damage from storms.

How can Bangladesh reduce the risk of flooding?

The main approaches that have been exercised are: (1) full protection of agricultural lands and urban areas against river flooding by constructing embankment along the rivers and providing appropriate drainage structures to minimize internal flooding; (2) partial protection against river flooding by constructing low

How can Bangladesh control floods?

Embankments and polders have reduced floodplain storage capacity during floods, leading to an increase in water levels and discharges in many rivers Page 29 To reduce the losses from floods as well as to use the surplus water for irrigation, Bangladesh Water Development Board as part of structural measures for flood

Why is Bangladesh vulnerable?

Bangladesh is frequently cited as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change [4-7] because of its disadvantageous geographic location; flat and low-lying topography; high population density; high levels of poverty; reliance of many livelihoods on climate sensitive sectors, particularly agriculture and

What are the problems in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh is currently suffering with following social problems:

• Population problems.
• Violence against woman and children.
• Poverty.
• Corruption.
• Crime.
• Dowry system.
• Illiteracy.
• Unemployment.

Which region of Bangladesh is most vulnerable for climate change impacts?

Hotspots of climate change vulnerability, where both biophysical and socio-economic vulnerability are high, are in the central and western coastal area, the north-western highlands, and along the main rivers.

Is Bangladesh low lying?

Bangladesh is a densely-populated, low-lying, mainly riverine country located in South Asia with a coastline of 580 km (360 mi) on the northern littoral of the Bay of Bengal. The delta plain of the Ganges (Padma), Brahmaputra (Jamuna), and Meghna Rivers and their tributaries occupy 79 percent of the country.

Is Bangladesh at risk from sea level rise?

Extreme weather has been regarded as the “new normal” in Bangladesh, with estimates that sea levels will continue to rise this century by up to five feet (leaving the country just two feet above sea level).

Is Bangladesh going to be underwater?

“By the end of the century, however, sea levels are expected to rise along the Bangladesh coastline by up to 1.5m. 1.5 meters is equivalent to five feet of sea level rise. That would spell doom for a coastal country like Bangladesh. Even three feet of sea level rise would submerge 20% of Bangladesh.

Why is the risk of flooding increasing?

“Globally, the frequency of river flood events has been increasing, as well as economic losses, due to the expansion of population and property in flood plains.” Building on floodplains increases flood risk, the Committee on Climate Change warns.

Why are coastal areas prone to flooding?

The risk of coastal flooding is increasing as a result of population growth, an increase in infrastructure located in coastal zones, sea level rise, and in some cases subsidence, caused by pumping of groundwater in deltas, which can lead to ground levels falling by 1–4 cm/year.

What causes flooding in coastal areas?

Flooding in urban areas of the Western Cape is a factor of human and natural factors ranging from extreme rainfall, usually caused by persistent cut off-lows, midlatitude cyclones, cold fronts and intense storms. Clogging of waterways and drainage systems enhances the risk of flooding.