Regional Trends of Sea Level Rise along the Coast of Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the growing threat of climate change induced sea level rise. Considering the potential severe impacts that sea level rise will have on the coastal population and the country’s economy, it has become very important to know about the regional trends of changing sea levels along the coastlands of Bangladesh. The present study attempted to portray a representative scenario of sea level rise in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Historic tide gauge records, ranging from 20 to 45 years, were used to determine reliable trends at multiple locations along the coast. Linear regression method was applied to derive the changing trend of annual high, mean and low tidal water levels. The location-specific trends of sea level rise determined in this study can be helpful to planners and policy makers to combat the emerging threat of SLR in a more efficient manner.