Evaluating the Water Crisis and Management Strategies in Climate-Sensitive Coastal Areas of Bangladesh: A Focus on Household, Agricultural, and Aquaculture Water Risks

Abstract

The study assesses the water crisis and its management in the climate-vulnerable coastal areas of Bangladesh, focusing on household, agriculture, and aquaculture water risks. Coastal areas like Assasuni (Satkhira) and Moheshkhali (Cox’s Bazar) face severe water insecurity due to salinity intrusion, seasonal variability, and inadequate infrastructure. Household water risks are linked to contamination, high costs, and the disproportionate burden on women for water collection. Rainwater harvesting, pond water, purchased water, and tubewells serve as primary sources, but their availability and quality fluctuate with the seasons, especially during cyclones and floods. In agriculture, dependence on climate-sensitive water sources leaves crop production and livestock vulnerable to salinity intrusion, erratic rainfall, and weak irrigation systems. Similarly, aquaculture in both regions faces challenges from saltwater intrusion, poor water control, and infrastructure damage, with limited institutional support for adaptation.

The study identifies key water management issues, including fragmented governance, poor infrastructure maintenance, and limited access to climate-resilient technologies. Coping strategies, such as water rationing and the use of salt-tolerant species, are insufficient to address the scale of the water risks. The findings emphasize the need for integrated water resource management, better infrastructure, improved governance, and community-based solutions. Gender-sensitive interventions and strengthening institutional capacities are crucial to ensure long-term water security and resilience for the affected coastal communities.