A losing battle against water
Fisherman Mohammad Hanif is one of many who have been forced to move due to climate change. Each year, hundreds of thousands in Bangladesh leave their homes because of coastal erosion, tropical cyclones, or rising river salinity. Some internally displaced people face penalties tied to these environmental pressures.
Haniz, aged 62, was ten months old when his family fled as the Meghna River surged through southern Bangladesh. Since then, his family has lost their home three times to successive disasters that reshaped their lives.
Experts point to accelerated erosion and higher river salinity, driven by global warming, as major factors. Bangladesh stands among the most vulnerable nations to rising temperatures, facing ongoing climate-related challenges.
A losing battle against water
The Meghna’s floods have repeatedly destroyed Hanif’s home and pushed him toward the southern Bhola coast, where fishing remains his livelihood. Yet the turning point came with the devastating Cyclone Sidr in 2007, which claimed nearly 3,500 lives along the coast. Hanif was aboard a boat in the Meghna Estuary with eleven others, including his brothers, when warnings about Sidr arrived.
He could have left his gear and sought safety, but he and the other fishermen chose to try to save their nets, a effort that ended in loss. Fish were scarce those years, and debts mounted. He eventually fled to Dhaka, seeking relief from creditors in the Kalyanpur slum after the hurricane.
The harsh economic fallout complicated recovery, and many displaced families faced long journeys to rebuild livelihoods in new urban settings. The experience illustrates how climate-driven disasters can translate into lasting financial and social strain.
Displaced people often confront the need to adapt quickly. As one resident explained, returning to a vanished town is impossible because the landscape itself has changed, leaving no clear place to go back to. The struggle to stabilize life after such shocks remains a persistent challenge for generations in vulnerable communities.
Displaced in the capital
In the capital, a dense slum environment shelters nearly 10,000 residents. On a diplomatic level, the UN special rapporteur for human rights protection in the face of climate change began a key overseas visit to observe conditions firsthand, underscoring the international attention on climate displacement. The visit highlighted the severe economic and social costs visible in communities like Kalyanpur, where development programs are active.
Scholars and practitioners note that the cost of loss and damage from climate impacts will rise substantially in the coming decades. Estimates place the annual global expenditure tied to climate-related damage within hundreds of billions of dollars by 2030, underscoring the scale of the challenge faced by communities on the front lines of climate change.
According to BRAC, a non-profit development organization operating in Kalyanpur, about one in five residents arrived in the capital after being displaced by climate-related disasters or from erosion-prone southern river regions. Ayesha Bibi, who collects plastic waste, shared that she and seven younger sisters arrived in the slum nearly thirty years ago when their village was devastated by erosion. She reflects on the sense of loss, noting that their town is gone and there is little chance of returning or locating neighbors.
A particularly vulnerable country
Bangladesh remains highly exposed to climate risks. Projections suggest that the number of displaced people due to rising temperatures could reach into the millions by mid-century. Global displacement monitoring has shown that tens of thousands typically leave homes annually, though many find temporary stability. In some years, displacement spikes dramatically, with millions affected by a single cyclone or flood event.
Across the river systems, accelerating erosion stands out as a principal cause of internal displacement, closely followed by rising salinity and sea-level rise in certain zones. Researchers warn that climate-related migration may intensify in the years ahead as conditions become more extreme and less predictable.
Experts emphasize that future climate changes are likely to increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. This trend is already affecting migration patterns, with communities in river deltas and floodplains bearing the brunt of the shifts. Local scholars note floods in the Sylhet region affected millions in recent periods, underscoring the broad scope of impact. As climate patterns shift, inland and coastal communities alike face ongoing threats to homes, livelihoods, and security.
In discussing these trends, scientists stress the importance of proactive adaptation strategies and regional cooperation to reduce risk and support resilient livelihoods. The ongoing dialogue involves environmental researchers, policymakers, and community leaders seeking practical steps to protect vulnerable populations while respecting local needs and knowledge.
For context on the broader picture, researchers caution that better data and early warning systems, along with robust disaster risk reduction measures, can help millions avoid or mitigate displacement. The emphasis is on preparedness, swift relief, and sustainable recovery pathways that enable communities to rebuild with dignity. Statements from researchers highlight the urgency of investing in resilient infrastructure and social protection, so people have safer options when storms arrive or rivers swell. And while the path forward is complex, many believe that coordinated action at local, national, and global levels can reduce the disruption climate change brings to homes and livelihoods.
Environment and public policy discussions stress the need for accessible information and inclusive decision-making, ensuring that those most affected have a voice in shaping responses to climate risks. The conversation continues to evolve as more data becomes available and as communities share experiences and best practices. Evidence points to the necessity of combining prevention with recovery, so that displaced families can find stability rather than long cycles of loss.
Note: This summary reflects ongoing reporting and analysis from international agencies and research institutions. Figures and projections may be updated as new data become available.