Detection to Climate Change Characteristics in the Coastal Regions of Bangladesh: An Integrated Case Study in the Noakhali District

Abstract

Climate change is a crucial issue and raises significant challenges in the coastal region of Bangladesh. This study examines the spatial distribution of climatic variables (temperature and rainfall) and detects the trends in the coastal district Noakhali using climatic data from 1970 to 2020 collected at M. Court and Hatiya stations, incorporating three neighboring weather stations (Sandwip, Bhola, and Feni) to enhance the spatial analysis. Trend analysis was conducted using the Mann-Kendall test and linear trend analysis methods. Spatial distribution was carried out using the interpolation method. In M. Court station, both annual minimum and maximum temperatures are increased significantly by 0.036°C and 0.057°C/year, respectively, resulting in a gradual increase of annual mean temperature (0.032°C/year). In contrast, at Hatiya station annual minimum decreased by -0.037°C/year and maximum temperatures increased by 0.027°C/year, and annual mean temperature is raised by 0.010°C per year at the 5% significant level. Linear trend analysis depicts the up warding and down warding lines of temperature and rainfall over time. There is no significant trend except July, August and October in the monthly rainfall trend analysis and annual rainfall is increasing at Hatiya. Spatial analysis shows low variability in mean temperature but an apparent variation in monthly rainfall throughout the study area. Hatiya station and surrounding areas receive more rainfall than the M. Court station area. The gradual increase of mean temperature indicates the future warmer climate in the coastal area of Bangladesh. This research would contribute to the comprehension of regional climate dynamics and facilitate planning in agricultural sector, water management and the local level.