The freshwater shortage has negatively impacted agricultural production, prompting many to leave their homes in search of a better livelihood, effectively turning them into climate migrants
Highlights
- Climate change driving rise in salinity
- Shrimp farms accelerating contamination
- 72% locals negatively affected by salinity
- 61% locals suffering severe health issues
- Uterine complications rising in women
- Female reproductive capacity declining
- Agro, livelihoods adversely impacted
- Locals turning into climate migrants
The salinity level in coastal regions across Bangladesh are rising rapidly, with key factors being climate change impacts and shrimp farming – as it requires saltwater enclosures. Since the eighties, a rising number of shrimp enclosures have turned large swaths of land saline.
Groundwater has become saline as well, putting several coastal districts – including Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat – in serious trouble. For households in such regions, rainwater has become the sole source of potable water for daily use and cooking.
The freshwater shortage has negatively impacted agricultural production, prompting many to leave their homes in search of a better livelihood, effectively turning them into climate migrants.
Aside from financial implications, the potable water crisis is triggering severe health issues among women and adolescents in the coastal areas. Data collected by government and non-government agencies show most women in the region are suffering from uterine complications. Some are even losing their reproductive capacity at an early age.
Amid this concerning backdrop, Bangladesh observed The World Water Day on Saturday [March 22, 2025] as elsewhere across the globe. The government had marked the day with various initiatives, with the theme, “Groundwater is not infinite, use responsibly for the sake of your children.”
The local perspective
Dacope Upazila is located on the banks of Pashur River under Khulna district. This river flows directly into the Bay of Bengal through the Sundarbans. In this neighbourhood, agriculture and livelihoods revolve around the river.
The rising salinity level in agricultural land and freshwater sources has made life exceedingly difficult here.
Detailing the predicament of Dacope residents, local college student Subhan Dutta told The Climate Watch, “During the monsoon season, we collect rainwater for household use – including drinking and cooking.
“Six to eight months after the monsoon, we use water from ponds for cooking, bathing, and other household chores. We must filter the pond water to use it. We use filters made with bricks and sand in a clay pitcher.”
He continued, “Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have provided us with large plastic tanks, and water is also stored there. But long-term storage causes infestation of bugs in these tanks.
“We also have a large water tank in the upazila. Water is supplied to households through pipelines from here. Some of us pay a monthly fee for this water supply.”
Another Dacope resident, an elderly village doctor named Ramendra Nath Halder, said, “Around 20-30 years ago we used to drink unfiltered pond water. Now we are filtering water to make it potable.
“Even though the government has taken a few initiatives to solve our freshwater shortage, none of them have worked as even the water deep underground is saline. Tubewells are useless in this region.”
Assasuni, Shyamnagar, and few other upazilas under Satkhira district are facing the same situation, said environmental and human rights activist Ranjit Kumar Barman.
He added, “Since the eighties, when shrimp farming began to spread in the region, there has been a shortage of fresh water in these areas. Deep tubewells are ineffective. Local populaces are now relying solely on rainwater, and ponds.”
Groundwater contaminated by salinity
Corroborating the experience shared by the local populace, Chief Scientific Officer at Soil Resource Development Institute Khulna Divisional Office GM Mostafizur Rahman said, “Salinity is prevalent in the rivers, soil and even groundwater of the Khulna region.
“Even though many tubewells have been installed there, traces of salinity can be found in deep groundwater.”
Residents turning into climate migrants
The increasing level of salinity in coastal regions – triggered by climate change – is negatively impacting agriculture, food, and employment.
The Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP) has conducted a study into the lives of these people, titled “Exposed and Exploited: Climate Change, Migration and Modern Slavery in Bangladesh.”
According to the study, 72% of people in the coastal regions are negatively affected by salinity. Among them, 62% are affected by irregular rainfall, which in turn has an adverse impact on their agriculture, food, and employment.
Commenting on the matter, OKUP Director Md Shakirul Islam said, “The sea level is rising due to climate change. Tidal water is flooding the localities more frequently, causing the salinity of both surface and groundwater to go up rapidly. The situation is worsening every year.
“In our research sites in Satkhira and Pirojpur, we have seen that residents are losing their livelihoods due to rising salinity, river erosion, and lack of fresh water. Agricultural production has been impacted the most. People in these regions are turning into climate migrants.”
Shakirul added, “Health complications among women are increasing due to household use of saline water. Their reproductive capacity is decreasing, and they are suffering from high blood pressure.
“Many women in these regions are married off young. As they are giving birth to more malnourished children, the number of divorces is going up.”
A 2012 study conducted by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) showed that 61% of people in coastal areas are suffering from serious health complications due to saline water.
Women, especially adolescents, are facing elevated health risks due to lack of access to freshwater. Low water intake is causing high blood pressure and heart disease among women. Saline water is also adversely affecting the health of mothers and newborns.
Many women in these regions are suffering from uterine complications and losing their reproductive capacity at a younger age.
What do experts say?
In the last 25 years, the salinity level in coastal regions across Bangladesh has been increasing by around 26% annually.
According to a 2014 study conducted by the World Bank, the amount of salinity in the ground will increase significantly by 2050 due to climate change. This will worsen the shortage of potable and irrigation water throughout southwestern coastal regions.
At least 2.9 million poor people will face adverse living conditions. Currently, 2.5 million people are suffering from a shortage of drinking water in Bangladesh.
Another report titled “National Adaptation Plan of Bangladesh (2023-2050),” released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, included salinity in the top ten future risks to Bangladesh posed by climate damage.
Renowned researcher, climate expert, and Emeritus Professor of BRAC University Dr Ainun Nishat said, “There are two reasons behind increasing salinity. First are the rising sea levels, and second are the ocean tides. The rate of increase is around three millimeters per year.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2021-2022 report shows that the sea level is rising by 3-4 millimeters annually in the Khulna region, 4.5 to 5 millimeters in Bagerhat and Barguna, 6-7 millimeters in Patuakhali and Bhola, and 6-7 millimeters in Chattogram.
As the sea level increases, saline water is gradually contaminating these regions.
Besides, salinity is rising due to ocean tides as well. There is a 15-foot-high embankment on the coast to prevent tides. But is it not enough, Dr Nishat said.
He pointed out, “People in the coastal areas – including in Bagerhat and Khulna – had been using large clay jars to store potable water for the last century. They released stinging catfish in these jars to prevent contamination by bugs.
“In recent years, NGOs and the government are providing plastic tanks to residents. But those are not appropriate for long-term storage of water and can easily be contaminated by bugs within two-three months. BRAC is providing water filters help mitigate some of these issues.”
Dr Nishat added, “Stored potable water is being used for drinking only. Where would the people of coastal regions find freshwater for cooking and bathing? Deep ponds should be dug on public land throughout coastal villages. This will save the residents.
“We must ensure that the banks of such ponds are made high. No one would be allowed to bathe or wash their cattle there. This is the only way to keep the pond water safe for consumption.”
Pointing out that every village used to have ponds that were exclusively used as a source of potable water, Dr Nishat stated, “We have no choice but to go back to this particular system to ensure people have freshwater sources all year long.”
