Hydro-meteorological trends in Southwest Coastal Bangladesh : perspectives of climate change and human interventions

Cyclone, storm surge induced flooding, riverine coastal flooding, salinity intrusion and coastal erosion are the main climate and hydrologic hazards in the area. This study investigates long-term trends in temperature, rainfall, sunshine, humidity and tidal water level in the Khulna region. Results reveal that the temperature is increasing at a significant rate, particularly in recent years. The sunshine duration is decreasing while humidity is increasing. Rainfall is increasing in terms of magnitude and number of rainy days. Human interventions through upstream diversion and coastal polders have contributed more in hydro-morphological changes in the southwest than climate change