Bangladesh, known for its resilience and natural beauty, is now facing one of the gravest challenges of the 21st century — climate change. Among the most affected are the country’s coastal communities, who stand on the frontline of rising sea levels, frequent cyclones, salinity intrusion, and unpredictable weather patterns. From Khulna to Satkhira, from Cox’s Bazar to Patuakhali, the signs are clear: climate change is not a future threat; it is a present reality. This article explores how climate change is reshaping the lives, livelihoods, and landscapes of coastal Bangladesh and what is being done — and still needs to be done — to address this growing crisis.

Geographic Vulnerability: Why the Coast Suffers Most 

Bangladesh’s 710-kilometre-long coastline is home to over 35 million people, many of whom rely on fishing, agriculture, and small-scale trade. Its flat deltaic terrain, coupled with the proximity to the Bay of Bengal, makes the coast extremely vulnerable to environmental shocks. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), sea levels around Bangladesh are rising at a rate faster than the global average. This means that communities in districts like Barguna, Bhola, and Bagerhat are at risk of losing their homes and land to the encroaching sea — not in the distant future, but in their own lifetimes.

Rising Seas, Shrinking Lands 

One of the most visible and devastating effects of climate change on coastal communities is sea level rise. Every year, more land is swallowed by the sea, forcing thousands of families to move inland in search of safety. This phenomenon, known as coastal erosion, has become alarmingly frequent in areas like Hatiya and Kutubdia, where large tracts of arable land have disappeared beneath the waves. The Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS) has warned that if the current rate of sea-level rise continues, approximately 17 percent of Bangladesh’s coastal area could be submerged by 2050, displacing over 20 million people.
Cyclones: Growing in Strength and Frequency 

While Bangladesh has improved its early warning systems and disaster preparedness over the years, climate change is making cyclones more frequent and more intense. Events like Cyclone Sidr (2007), Cyclone Aila (2009), and Cyclone Amphan (2020) caused significant destruction, particularly in the coastal belt. Cyclones bring with them not just wind and rain but also storm surges that can inundate low lying areas with saltwater. For farmers and fishermen, such events are catastrophic. Their boats are destroyed, their crops ruined, and their homes rendered uninhabitable. The psychological trauma of repeated displacements adds to their vulnerability.

The Slow Poison: Salinity Intrusion 

While storms and floods make headlines, salinity intrusion is a slower and less visible killer. As seawater seeps into freshwater sources and agricultural lands, it turns once-productive fields barren. The southwestern coastal regions — especially Satkhira, Khulna, and Bagerhat — have reported increasing levels of salinity in both soil and drinking water. This not only hampers rice cultivation and freshwater fisheries but also contributes to health problems. Kidney diseases, skin infections, and maternal complications have been reported among communities forced to consume saline water due to a lack of alternatives. A 2021 study by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) found that over 1 million hectares of land in coastal areas are now affected by salinity, directly threatening food security and rural livelihoods.

Water Crisis: Too Much and Too Little 
Ironically, while coastal areas often face flooding, they also suffer from acute water shortages. This paradox is due to the contamination of freshwater sources by saltwater and industrial pollutants. During the dry season, water scarcity becomes severe, especially in districts like Satkhira and Patuakhali. Women and children are often the worst affected, walking several kilometres every day just to collect potable water. In some areas, NGOs have installed rainwater harvesting systems, but these are not sufficient to meet growing demand.

Livelihoods Under Threat 

Climate change is disrupting traditional livelihoods in coastal areas. Farmers find it difficult to grow rice, jute, or vegetables in salty soil. Fishermen encounter declining fish stocks due to habitat destruction and changing water temperatures. As a result, many people are forced to migrate to urban slums in cities like Dhaka or Chattogram, where they face a different set of challenges — job insecurity, poor housing, and lack of access to education and healthcare. Climate-induced migration is creating a new class of urban poor: climate refugees.

Health Impacts and Social Disruption

The health consequences of climate change are profound. Apart from waterborne diseases like diarrhea and cholera, there is a growing concern about mental health. Constant exposure to disaster risks, economic instability, and forced migration leads to stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly among women and children. Moreover, climate stress is also linked to rising incidents of domestic violence and early marriage in affected areas, as families struggle to cope with insecurity and loss of income.

Voices from the Ground 

Rabeya Khatun, a 40-year-old resident of Gabura in Satkhira, said, “We used to grow paddy here. Now nothing grows because of salt. My husband went to Dhaka for work, and I have to fetch water from 3 kilometres away.” Mohammad Hanif, a fisherman in Bhola, shared, “Cyclones destroyed my boat. Without it, I have no income. I don’t know how I will feed my family.” These stories are not isolated. They are echoed across the coastal belt, reflecting the lived reality of millions.

What Is Being Done? 

The government of Bangladesh, in partnership with international organisations, has taken several initiatives to address the impacts of climate change. The Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP), the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, and various local adaptation projects are steps in the right direction. Programmes like the Coastal Embankment Improvement Project (CEIP), rainwater harvesting initiatives, saline-resistant crop cultivation, and floating gardens are being introduced to build resilience. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, and other development partners are also working with local NGOs to implement adaptation strategies. However, experts argue that more inclusive, community-led, and long-term solutions are needed. Challenges Ahead Despite the efforts, many challenges remain: Gaps Funding: Adaptation measures require significant financial investment. Many local governments lack the resources to implement climate-resilient infrastructure. Lack of Awareness: Community members often do not have access to information on how to adapt to climate risks effectively. Institutional Coordination: Better coordination among ministries, local bodies, and NGOs is essential for successful implementation. Gender Inequality: Women often bear a disproportionate burden in climate-affected areas, yet their voices are underrepresented in decision-making.

The Road Ahead: What Needs to Be Done 

To protect and empower coastal communities, several steps must be prioritised: Investment in Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Strengthening embankments, improving drainage, and building cyclone shelters must continue with increased urgency. Empowering Local Communities: Training, education, and leadership opportunities for locals — especially women and youth — will ensure more sustainable outcomes. Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture: Expanding saline-tolerant crops and integrated farming systems can help restore livelihoods. Expanding Access to Clean Water: Investment in desalination, water purification, and rainwater harvesting technologies is critical. Mainstreaming Climate Migration Policy: Urban planning must account for climate migrants to prevent the growth of informal settlements. Increasing Global Climate Finance: Bangladesh contributes little to global emissions yet suffers greatly. Developed nations must fulfil their climate finance pledges to support adaptation in vulnerable nations. The impact of climate change on coastal communities in Bangladesh is severe, multifaceted, and growing. It is a story of loss and resilience, despair and determination. While the challenges are immense, they are not insurmountable. With stronger policies, better coordination, and meaningful international support, the tide can be turned. The voices from the coast — like Rabeya’s and Hanif’s — are a reminder that the fight against climate change is not just about emissions and treaties. It is about people, their dignity, their survival, and their future. Bangladesh must lead with vision, and the world must stand beside it in solidarity.