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 High Court has upheld the death sentences of former police officials Pradeep Kumar Das and Liaqat Ali in the murder of retired Major Sinha Md Rashed Khan, describing Pradeep as the “mastermind” and principal planner of the killing. The 378-page verdict, delivered on 2 June, was uploaded to the Supreme Court website on 23 November.
The court observed that Pradeep was present at the scene and pressed his shoe-clad foot on Sinha’s chest and neck, ensuring his death—an allegation supported by witness testimonies and the post-mortem report. The court further noted that Liaqat Ali fired four shots at the unarmed victim in a premeditated manner, causing his death.
Stating that the trial court had correctly applied Section 302 of the Penal Code, the High Court upheld the earlier sentences: death for Pradeep and Liaqat, and life imprisonment for six others found guilty of conspiracy, aiding the crime, and sharing a common intention.
Major Sinha was shot dead at a police checkpoint in Shamlapur on 31 July 2020. The Cox’s Bazar court delivered the initial verdict on 31 January 2022. Following procedure, the death reference was sent to the High Court, while the convicts also filed appeals. With the High Court verdict now affirmed, the defence is expected to appeal to the Appellate Division once the certified copy is received.
Two people, including a van driver, were killed after a passenger bus struck a van in Chuadanga Sadar’s Alokdia Bazar on Sunday afternoon. Two others were injured, with both critically wounded victims transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
The deceased were identified as Parveen Akhter, 45, of Monirampur village in Alokdia Union, and van driver Ramzan Ali, 26, who later died on the way to the hospital. The injured—Israt from Rajapur and Shabdul from Jhenaidah’s Kotchandpur—remain under treatment.
According to police, the bus was travelling from Chuadanga to Meherpur when it rammed into the van from behind at Alokdia Bazar. One of the van passengers died on the spot. Rescue teams transported the injured to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, from where two were referred to Rajshahi due to their critical condition.
Additional Police Superintendent Mostafizur Rahman said legal procedures are underway and the bodies will be handed over to the families. The bus driver fled the scene after the accident.
Authorities in Meherpur have fined Nivalak Paints Bangladesh Ltd. Tk 200,000 for illegally producing paint. The penalty was imposed during a joint operation conducted by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and RAB on Sunday afternoon.
Mamunul Hasan, Assistant Director of the Consumer Rights Directorate in Meherpur, said the factory had been producing paint without proper authorization for an extended period. During the raid, officials found evidence supporting the violation and imposed the fine accordingly.
The same operation also penalized two other establishments: Shahin Traders was fined Tk 15,000 for selling oil and gas without a valid license, while New Bengal Foods was fined Tk 5,000 for producing bakery items in an unhygienic environment.
RAB-12 Meherpur Company Commander Lt. Wahiduzzaman and Food Safety Officer Riaz Mahmud were also present during the operation,
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