A study from MIT, published in the journal One Earth, warns that the recurrence of destructive storm surges in Bangladesh could multiply by ten by the end of the century.
What used to be an extreme tropical cyclone every 100 years could now occur every decade or even more frequently.
Intensification of tropical cyclones
Tropical cyclones, hurricanes that form in warm oceans, can generate devastating storm surges by raising sea levels and causing catastrophic floods in coastal regions.
The research reveals that the Bay of Bengal, one of the most affected areas in the world, will face a significant increase in the frequency of these events due to global warming.
Bangladesh: high climate vulnerability
Bangladesh, with over 171 million inhabitants, is one of the most densely populated and vulnerable countries to cyclones and floods.
Its low-lying delta geography, combined with its seasonal monsoon, has contributed to some of the worst recorded floods, hampering economic recovery, especially in the agricultural sector.
The study also warns of a new threat: the overlap of tropical cyclones with the monsoon season, something that has not occurred until now.
Climate models indicate that in the future, these phenomena could overlap, causing consecutive floods throughout the country.
Reflection and urgent measures
Researcher Sai Ravela, co-author of the study, emphasized that Bangladesh is actively preparing for climate risks, but the current strategy is based on past weather conditions. With the new forecast, the country must rethink its protection measures against the acceleration of extreme events.
“We observe an almost tenfold increase in the recurrence of destructive storm surges. It is essential for Bangladesh to reflect and revise how it protects itself against these storms”, stated Ravela.
This scenario reinforces the urgent need for adaptation strategies. Resilient infrastructure and emission reduction to mitigate the effects of climate change in Bangladesh and other vulnerable regions.
Cover photo: AFP
