Haunting Photos Show Effects Of Climate Change In Bangladesh
The number of "climate change refugees" in Bangladesh is expected to rise dramatically in the coming decades. Around 20 million people in the Asian nation are at risk of losing their homes by 2050 because of the effects of climate change, like soil erosion, rising temperatures and water pollution. If sea levels rise by just 3.2 feet, one-fifth of the country -- which is located on the delta formed by some of Asia's biggest rivers -- is expected to be covered in water. Poor populations are the most vulnerable to the changing conditions.
The people of Bangladesh are already feeling the consequences of climate change in dramatic ways. The rising sea levels combined with increased temperatures create unpredictable weather phenomena and sometimes make existing patterns more extreme.
On Nov. 15, 2007, for example, Cyclone Sidr swept the Bangladeshi coastline with winds of about 155 miles per hour and tidal waves as high as 16.4 feet. It was themost intense cyclone to hit the country since 1991, affecting about 3 million people and destroying tens of thousands of homes. The storm also caused problems with electricity and communication.
Sudipta Arka Das
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