Bangladesh
Research Suggests 17.95% Of Bangladesh’s Coastal Area May Go Under Sea By 2100
Coastal areas of Bangladesh face a dire future as climate change takes its toll, with up to 17.95 percent of these vulnerable regions projected to be submerged by the end of this century, according to a statement by Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin today.
In addition, the Environment Minister, Md Shahab Uddin, cautioned that the anticipated rise in sea levels would have detrimental consequences for rice production in Bangladesh. He emphasized that the projected sea level rise alone could result in a significant decline of 5.8 percent to 9.1 percent in rice production.
The minister said this today in parliament citing research data.
Over the course of the past three decades, the coastal regions of Bangladesh have experienced a noticeable annual increase in sea levels, averaging approximately 3.8-5.8 millimeters. Findings from a recent study revealed that this upward trend in sea level poses a grave threat, with estimates suggesting that by the end of this century, around 12.34 percent to 17.95 percent of Bangladesh’s coastal areas could be engulfed by the sea. Furthermore, the study highlights a distressing outcome for rice production, indicating that solely the projected rise in sea levels would result in a substantial reduction of 5.8 percent to 9.1 percent in Bangladesh’s rice output.
Highlighting the urgent need for swift and comprehensive global action against climate change, Shahab Uddin emphasized that if immediate measures are not taken, the rise in temperature within the next two decades will surpass 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Alarming projections indicate that this increase could escalate even further, potentially exceeding 3.0°C by the year 2100. The Environment Minister further underscored the worrisome consequences of rising global temperatures, noting a significant acceleration in ice melting across polar regions as a direct result of this ongoing temperature surge.
A startling research report published in the journal ‘The Cryosphere‘ in 2021 has revealed that an astounding 28 trillion metric tons of sea ice, icebergs, and glaciers worldwide have melted since the 1990s. The report highlights an alarming trend, indicating that the rate of ice melting has surged by 57 percent compared to three decades ago.
Adding to the concerns, Environment Minister Shahab Uddin cited a recent research report by NASA Global Climate Change, which discloses that Antarctica is losing ice at an average rate of 150 billion tons per year, while Greenland’s ice is melting at an average rate of 270 billion tons per year.
Uddin further emphasized Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate change, referring to the Global Climate Risk Index 202 published by Germanwatch. The report identifies Bangladesh as the 7th most vulnerable country to climate change, despite the nation’s minimal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Bangladesh’s Interim Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has reiterated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held in February. He made the assurance on Wednesday (October 15) during an emergency meeting of the National Consensus Commission with political party representatives at the State Guest House Jamuna.
“This is not just talk — the election will be held in February, and it will be festive,” Dr. Yunus said during the meeting.
The meeting focused on the implementation process of the July Charter, a policy document developed through extensive dialogue among political parties.
Thanking party representatives, Dr. Yunus said, “The July Charter is the outcome of your long discussions. It has become part of history.” He announced that copies of the Charter would be distributed to all political parties and vowed to preserve and promote it while he remains in office.
The Chief Adviser urged political parties to apply the Charter’s principles in their political practice and daily governance.
Earlier, the Commission had distributed the final version of the July National Charter 2025 to all political parties, though recommendations on how to implement the proposed reforms are yet to be finalized.
Following the July 2025 mass uprising, the interim government was formed and established six separate reform commissions — on the constitution, electoral system, public administration, anti-corruption, police, and judiciary. The National Consensus Commission continues to consult political parties based on these commissions’ recommendations.
Crime and Justice
Woman Attempts Suicide by Setting Herself on Fire in Jhenaidah, Husband Also Burned
A woman in Jhenaidah’s Shailkupa upazila attempted suicide by setting herself on fire, leaving both her and her husband severely injured. The incident occurred around midnight on Tuesday (14 October) in Charbakhurbar village.
Police and local sources said the woman, identified as 24-year-old Mahima Khatun, poured kerosene on herself before setting it ablaze. Her husband, Ashik Mia—son of Alok Mia—sustained burns while trying to save her.
The couple was rescued by locals and taken to Shailkupa Upazila Health Complex. Later, due to their critical condition, they were transferred to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Dr. Shahnewaz, Medical Officer at Shailkupa Health Complex, said, “Both the husband and wife suffered burns on about 50 percent of their bodies. Their condition is critical.”
At least one person was killed and ten others were injured when a passenger bus plunged into a roadside ditch in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district on Wednesday morning.
The accident occurred around 11:30 a.m. at Purbo Sadordi area on the Faridpur-Barishal highway when a Dhaka-bound “Euro Line” bus lost control while attempting to overtake a “Shyamoli Paribahan” bus, police said.
The deceased was identified as Shamsunnahar Begum (41), wife of Nazrul Islam from Kachua village, Uzirpur upazila of Barishal.
Rescue teams from the fire service, highway police, and local residents rushed to the scene and took the injured to Bhanga Upazila Health Complex for treatment.
Bhanga Highway Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Rokibuzzaman said that during an overtaking attempt, the Euro Line bus was hit by the Shyamoli Paribahan bus, causing it to veer off the road. “Both buses have been recovered, and the Shyamoli Paribahan bus has been seized,” the OC added.
Traffic on both sides of the highway remained halted for a while following the incident but later resumed normally.
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