Local Climate Impact: Saline Water Intrusion in Coastal Khulna
One of the most pressing climate change impacts I've witnessed firsthand in my community is saline water intrusion in the coastal belt of Khulna district, particularly in areas like Dacope and Paikgacha in coastal area of Bangladesh. Rising sea levels, combined with cyclones, tidal surges and reduced freshwater flow in rivers, have caused salinity to creep further inland, contaminating both surface water and groundwater sources that communities have relied on for generations.
This creates serious challenges. Many households no longer have access to safe drinking water near their homes , women and children often walk long distances daily just to collect potable water. Saline water also damages agricultural land, reducing crop yields and forcing many families to shift away from traditional farming. There are documented health implications too, including higher rates of hypertension linked to long-term consumption of saline water, particularly affecting pregnant women.
In response, communities and organizations have adopted several adaptation strategies. Through my work in the WASH sector, I've been directly involved in setting up and managing Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) across multiple hubs in the Khulna region, which use technologies like reverse osmosis to desalinate water and provide safe drinking water access to coastal households. Local committees have also been trained to operate and maintain these systems sustainably, ensuring community ownership rather than dependency on external support. On a household level, some families have started rainwater harvesting during monsoon season as a supplementary freshwater source. However, these efforts are still not enough to match the scale of the problem continued investment in climate-resilient WASH infrastructure and stronger drainage and water management policies remain critical for long-term adaptation.