Coastal flooding/ storm surges

Question 1

Why are some coasts at risk to coastal flooding?

Answer 1

-Low elevation area
-Increased building of settlements on land causing land to sink
-Removal of vegetation

Question 2

Why is there cutting down of mangroves in Bangladesh?

Answer 2

This will increase farmland to keep up with the demand of its high population
Removal of mangroves in Sundarbans region by the Bay of Bengal so it can be converted into lucrative shrimp farms (accounts for 25% of forest loss)

Question 3

Subsidence explained in Bangladesh:

Answer 3

Some of Bangladesh’s islands have sunk as much 1.5 m in the last 50 years due to drainage of 50 large islands, extraction of water to help the rice farming sector, needed to provide food for the rapidly growing population

Question 4

What is a storm surge?

Answer 4

A short term rise in sea level caused by high winds

Question 5

2 ways that climate change the level of risk of coastal flooding:

Answer 5

-Warmer temperatures increase sea level through thermal expansion and melting of ice
-Strength of winds increase which produce stronger waves

Question 6

Economic impacts of storm surges:

Answer 6

-Salt water contaminate bodies of freshwater, damaging if country relies on agricultural exports
-Infrastructure damaged, e.g. ports

Question 7

Social impacts of storm surges:

Answer 7

-Contaminated water, people that rely on primary goods that are supposed to be exported elsewhere will be vulnerable
-People left homeless
-Authorities have to unblock roads afterwards to make areas safer