31. Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest
nations is also the country most vulnerable to sea-level
rise.
The population is already severely affected by storm
surges. Catastrophic events in the past have caused damage
up to 100 km inland.
It is hard to imagine to what extent
these catastrophes would be with accelerated sea-level rise.
Digital terrain modelling techniques have
been used to display the Bangladesh scenarios.
A three dimensional
view of the country has been overlaid with the current coastline
and major rivers and potential future sea levels at 1,5
meters.
Since this scenario was calculated in 1989,
the expected rate of sea level rise has been modified.
At
present expected rates, this stage will occur in about 150
years from now.
| Scenario |
Land area
'000km2 |
Population 1989
'000'000 est. |
Population 2030
'000'000 est. |
| 150 cm |
22 (16%) |
17 (15%) |
34 (15%) |
| Bangladesh tot |
134 (100%) |
112 (100%) |
224 (100%) |
The data given here are course estimates, using the same
parameters as Delft Hydraulics. (UNEP/Delft 1989)