Cyclones, storm surge and salinity in coastal Bangladesh

Critical severity. Severe, persistent harm to health, ecosystems or livelihoods. Severity is descriptive editorial metadata summarising documented effects. It is not a measured index or a score.

1. 01

   Tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal

   The funnel shape and shallow shelf of the northern Bay amplify storm surges.

2. 02

   Reduced dry-season freshwater flow

   Lower upstream flows allow saltwater to intrude further inland.

3. 03

   Sea level rise and subsidence

   Relative sea level rise increases the reach of tides and surges.

4. 04

   Land use change

   Brackish-water shrimp farming can introduce salt into formerly freshwater land.

1. 01

   Loss of crops and livelihoods

   Saline soils reduce rice yields and limit the crops that can be grown.

2. 02

   Drinking water scarcity

   Saline groundwater and ponds leave many households dependent on rainwater, filtration or distant sources.

3. 03

   Health effects

   Research links high salt intake from drinking water to health risks, including during pregnancy.

4. 04

   Damage and displacement

   Cyclones destroy homes and embankments and can trigger migration.

1. Cyclone Preparedness Programme

   Volunteer-led early warnings and a network of cyclone shelters.

   Expected effectHas contributed to large reductions in cyclone mortality compared with past decades.

2. Salt-tolerant crops and adaptive farming

   Salt-tolerant rice varieties, crop switching and floating gardens.

   Expected effectMaintains food production on affected land.

3. Drinking water solutions

   Rainwater harvesting, pond sand filters and managed aquifer recharge.

   Expected effectImproves access to safe drinking water.

4. Embankment and polder management

   Maintaining embankments and managing sediment through tidal river management.

   Expected effectProtects land from flooding and can help raise land levels.

Notable cyclones

Sidr (2007), Aila (2009), Amphan (2020)

Major cyclones that caused significant damage in the southwest coastal zone.

1. [1]Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and VulnerabilityIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change · Feb 2022ipcc.ch(opens in a new tab)
2. [2]Bangladesh Water Development BoardGovernment of Bangladeshbwdb.gov.bd(opens in a new tab)
3. [3]World Bank in BangladeshWorld Bankworldbank.org(opens in a new tab)

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