Mapping Climate Vulnerability in Bangladesh
Based on the virtual field trip across Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Satkhira, it is clear that climate change is not a distant threat but a lived reality that hits the most marginalized communities first and hardest. In the urban sprawl of Dhaka, the struggle is defined by record-breaking heatwaves and frequent monsoon flooding that turn informal settlements into "heat islands" and health traps. Here, vulnerability is deeply structural; the lack of proper drainage and reliable electricity means that when it floods, livelihoods like rickshaw pulling stop, and when the sun blazes, families suffer through sleepless nights and waterborne diseases.
Moving to the southeastern coast in Cox’s Bazar, the hazards shift to the violent force of cyclones and landslides. Because this area is home to both fishing villages and a massive, densely packed refugee population, the physical exposure is extreme. When a storm hits, it doesn't just damage property, it destroys the fragile, temporary shelters and the very boats people rely on for food and income, making displacement a constant, terrifying possibility.
Finally, in Satkhira, we see the "slow-motion" disaster of salinity intrusion. This is perhaps the most intersectional crisis of all, as saltwater permanently ruins farmland and drinking water. It places a heavy burden on women, who must walk miles just to find a safe sip of water, and forces farmers to abandon traditional rice for risky shrimp farming. Across all three locations, the level of vulnerability is undeniably High because these environmental shocks are colliding with existing poverty, poor sanitation, and a lack of institutional support, leaving communities to fight for their survival with very few resources.