Century-scale dynamics of the Bengal delta and future development

While most of the large deltas in the world are suffering from sediment starvation, the Bengal delta is prograding at a substantially high rate. The progradation expedites the shifting process of delta building estuaries as well as their associated distributaries, which play an important role in the eco-system of the delta by influencing the salinity, sediment and also the flooding pattern. A future projection of the delta shifting is essential for long-term development planning of the delta. This article reports the findings of a preliminary investigation using available data. Historical maps, time-series satellite images, digital elevation maps based on topographic surveys of the 1950s and 1990s, as well as water level and hydrographic surveys have been used for the investigation.…