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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Seas 'threaten 20m in Bangladesh' | Seas 'threaten 20m in Bangladesh' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Up to 20 million people in low-lying Bangladesh are at risk from rising sea levels in the coming decades, according to new research. | |
| Scientists predict that salty water could reach far inland, making it hard to cultivate staple foods like rice. | Scientists predict that salty water could reach far inland, making it hard to cultivate staple foods like rice. |
| The research comes as the government appeals for $5bn (£3bn) over five years to combat climate change. | |
| In May, Cyclone Aila left thousands homeless, killed many and caused widespread flooding and damage. | In May, Cyclone Aila left thousands homeless, killed many and caused widespread flooding and damage. |
| The predictions come from the Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (Cegis) in Bangladesh. | The predictions come from the Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (Cegis) in Bangladesh. |
| It suggests a surprisingly small area of land will be permanently lost to the waters, but notes that vast tracts in the south-west could be inundated every monsoon season. | It suggests a surprisingly small area of land will be permanently lost to the waters, but notes that vast tracts in the south-west could be inundated every monsoon season. |
| Food threats | Food threats |
| Ahmadul Hassan, a senior scientist at Cegis, told the BBC that the intrusion of salt water would disrupt rice production in one of Bangladesh's poorest regions. | Ahmadul Hassan, a senior scientist at Cegis, told the BBC that the intrusion of salt water would disrupt rice production in one of Bangladesh's poorest regions. |
| "These are very poor people, and vulnerable. For four months they'll have nowhere to work," he said. | "These are very poor people, and vulnerable. For four months they'll have nowhere to work," he said. |
| Floating gardens help in vulnerable areas - Video of projects courtesy of DfID | Floating gardens help in vulnerable areas - Video of projects courtesy of DfID |
| "So people will migrate to the cities for jobs, because of the uncomfortable situation with sea level rise. | "So people will migrate to the cities for jobs, because of the uncomfortable situation with sea level rise. |
| "We are talking about 20 million people," he adds. | "We are talking about 20 million people," he adds. |
| According to the researchers, data from 11 Bangladeshi monitoring stations shows an average sea-level rise of 5mm per year over the last 30 years, with climate models forecasting further rises. | |
| Of Bangladesh's total rice production, nearly half is so-called "monsoon" rice and much of that is grown in the areas most vulnerable to flooding. | Of Bangladesh's total rice production, nearly half is so-called "monsoon" rice and much of that is grown in the areas most vulnerable to flooding. |
| In an interview with BBC News, Bangladesh's Minister of Disaster Management, Dr Muhammed Abdur Razzaque, said he wanted sea defences similar to those in Holland. | In an interview with BBC News, Bangladesh's Minister of Disaster Management, Dr Muhammed Abdur Razzaque, said he wanted sea defences similar to those in Holland. |
| "We have to have new designs for embankments and we have to raise their height," he said. | "We have to have new designs for embankments and we have to raise their height," he said. |
| "We are expecting $5bn over the next five years in support from the international community. | "We are expecting $5bn over the next five years in support from the international community. |
| "This must be a grant, not a loan with interest," he stipulated. | "This must be a grant, not a loan with interest," he stipulated. |
| I think it is not possible to live in this country any longer, we have to move Asma KhatunGabura Island resident | I think it is not possible to live in this country any longer, we have to move Asma KhatunGabura Island resident |
| Bangladesh is among a number of developing countries campaigning for finance to help adapt to the effects of climate change. | Bangladesh is among a number of developing countries campaigning for finance to help adapt to the effects of climate change. |
| There are hopes that the richest nations will agree to massive funding at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December. | There are hopes that the richest nations will agree to massive funding at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December. |
| Staff from the charity Oxfam point to the damage caused by Cyclone Aila last May to highlight why Bangladesh needs help preparing for future sea-level rise. | Staff from the charity Oxfam point to the damage caused by Cyclone Aila last May to highlight why Bangladesh needs help preparing for future sea-level rise. |
| Abdul Khaleque is managing Oxfam's emergency response in Satkhira region, where more than 20,000 people lost their homes on Gabura Island. | Abdul Khaleque is managing Oxfam's emergency response in Satkhira region, where more than 20,000 people lost their homes on Gabura Island. |
| He said: "This place is very near to the sea and we know climate change is causing sea levels to rise. | He said: "This place is very near to the sea and we know climate change is causing sea levels to rise. |
| "If the situation gets worse then these people cannot go back to their villages, so permanent arrangements to improve these embankments need to be made." | "If the situation gets worse then these people cannot go back to their villages, so permanent arrangements to improve these embankments need to be made." |
| Defences breached | Defences breached |
| Four months after the cyclone, the sea defences are still breached and the island floods with every high tide. | Four months after the cyclone, the sea defences are still breached and the island floods with every high tide. |
| The chairman of the Gabura Island "union" or council, Shofiul Ajam Lenin, is calling for the embankments to be far higher. | The chairman of the Gabura Island "union" or council, Shofiul Ajam Lenin, is calling for the embankments to be far higher. |
| "If the current design is not changed then not only my union, but the other unions as well will not exist." | "If the current design is not changed then not only my union, but the other unions as well will not exist." |
| The flooding has ruined the island's freshwater supplies and hygiene in the camp is poor. | The flooding has ruined the island's freshwater supplies and hygiene in the camp is poor. |
| Among those living in tents on a narrow strip of high ground is Asma Khatun, a 25-year-old widow, who is now eager to leave. | Among those living in tents on a narrow strip of high ground is Asma Khatun, a 25-year-old widow, who is now eager to leave. |
| "I think it is not possible to live in this country any longer. We have to move to other countries. | "I think it is not possible to live in this country any longer. We have to move to other countries. |
| "We can't live here just by drinking this water. It is not possible to live here." | "We can't live here just by drinking this water. It is not possible to live here." |