Cyclone and Storm Surge - Iczmpwb.org

2.49
Ajmalmari East 75.664 70.923 6.27 Mangrove forest: No
embankments
Bhangaduni 45.112 30.855 31.6 Mangrove forest: No
embankments
Jambudwip 17.543 5.519 68.54 Mangrove forest: No
embankments
Further important observations regarding the erosion accretion pattern of the island system, as
inferred by Hazra (2006) can be summarised as follows:
• Erosional zones are most prominent among the 12 sea facing southern islands including
Sagar at the west to Bhangaduni in the east.
• Few islands, like Lohachara and Bedford (6.212 Km2), have already vanished from the map.
• Within the inhabited islands, Ghoramara & Sagar and Mousuni Island together have suffered
the bulk of erosion. Jambudwip, being the southernmost island at the confluence of Hoogly,
has shown landless by 68%
• Total erosion over the 30 years time span is estimated to be 162.879Km2.
• The western banks of the island are more vulnerable than the east and the rate is more
severe indicating the role of tidal surges. Erosion is also seen along the sea facing
shorelines where it is oblique.
• Marginal accretion is localised in the inner estuary particularly along eastern and northern
margin of islands and along the coast where it is mostly E-W and sea facing. Amount of land
accretion over the past 30 years is estimated to be82.505Km2.
• Emerging mud flats of 70's have suffered the maximum loss, due to not only erosion, but
probably submergence as well.
• The eastern matured islands are found to be comparatively more stable due to the presence
of thick mangroves and lesser anthropogenic activities. Only marginal submergence is
observed.
Over the last 30 years, around 7000 people have been displaced and turned into environmental
migrants due to sea level rise, coastal erosion, cyclone and coastal flooding breaching the