23/05/2026
Along the coastal belt of Bangladesh, countless women continue to live in uncertainty after their husbands disappeared at sea. In the fishing villages of Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Sandwip, and Kutubdia, these women are often known as âsea widowsâ â wives of fishermen who never returned home.
One of them is 45-year-old Machuma Begum from Charlathimara village in Patharghata, Barguna. Nearly two decades after Cyclone Sidr struck the coast in 2007, she still waits for her husband, fisherman Hasan Pahlan, who vanished while fishing in the Bay of Bengal.
Standing beside her crumbling house outside the embankment, Machuma says she still hopes her husband will return one day and end the hardship that has consumed her life. After Hasan disappeared, she was left alone to raise her children without shelter, income, or support. Whenever news spread of a body being recovered after the cyclone, she rushed to identify it, but never found her husband.
Machumaâs story reflects the reality faced by many coastal women whose husbands go missing during cyclones, storms, tidal surges, and maritime accidents. Every year, fishermen disappear in the increasingly dangerous waters of the Bay of Bengal, leaving behind families trapped in grief, poverty, and uncertainty.
In Char Monohar village of Bholaâs Charfason upazila, the trauma of such disappearances still haunts the community years after seven local fishermen went missing at sea in 2020. Families continue to struggle with debt, hunger, and social insecurity. Hasina Begum, wife of missing fisherman Zakir Hossain, lives with her three daughters in a fragile two-room house while trying to repay large loans left behind by her husband. Another woman, Rifa Begum, survives with her children after her husband Alamgir disappeared, leaving unpaid debts and no source of income.
Similar stories can be heard across coastal districts including Kutubdia, Sandwip, Hatia, Monpura, and Ramgati. While reports of missing fishermen often appear briefly in newspapers, the long-term suffering of their families rarely receives attention.
At the same time, the risks faced by fishermen are increasing. Scientists and researchers warn that climate change is making the Bay of Bengal more dangerous through stronger storms, rougher seas, unpredictable weather, and rising tidal surges. Fish stocks are also declining rapidly, forcing fishermen to travel farther into dangerous waters to earn a living.
Many fishermen say the sea has changed dramatically. Older fishermen who once considered fishing routine now describe deep fear every time they leave shore. Warning signals often fail to reach them in time, and accidents at sea are becoming more frequent.
Despite the growing danger, coastal communities have few alternatives for survival. More than a million people depend on fishing along Bangladeshâs coast, yet many families remain trapped in poverty and debt.
The crisis is also worsened by bureaucratic barriers. Families of missing fishermen often cannot access government assistance because they are unable to obtain death certificates without recovering the bodies. As a result, many women are excluded from financial aid, compensation, and rehabilitation programs.
Local activists and fisheries officials say the number of missing fishermen is steadily rising, though no comprehensive national database exists. In Patharghata alone, local authorities recorded around 200 fishermen missing between 1993 and 2024.
Experts describe the suffering of these families as an example of âNon-Economic Loss and Damageâ caused by climate change â losses that cannot be measured only in money. Beyond financial hardship, families endure emotional trauma, social instability, uncertainty, and the permanent absence of loved ones.
For coastal fishermen, every journey into the sea has become increasingly uncertain. Yet for many, abandoning the profession is impossible. With few economic alternatives and worsening environmental conditions, fishing communities continue to risk their lives in one of the worldâs most climate-vulnerable regions.
âWe cannot leave this profession,â said fisherman Abdur Rahim from Patharghata. âBut the dangers have increased, fish have declined, and disasters are becoming more common. We only want safety for our lives and support for the families of missing fishermen.â
NSU Admission Test and SAT Style Reading Questions Based on the Passage
Question 1
Which choice best describes the central idea of the passage?
A. Coastal fishing communities in Bangladesh are benefiting from modernization and government assistance.
B. Climate change and dangerous sea conditions are causing growing social and economic hardship for fishermenâs families in coastal Bangladesh.
C. Fishermen in Bangladesh are refusing to follow safety regulations while fishing at sea.
D. Cyclone Sidr was the only major disaster to affect Bangladeshâs coastal communities.
Question 2
The author most likely includes Machuma Begumâs story in the opening paragraphs in order to:
A. criticize fishermen for continuing to work at sea
B. provide scientific evidence about climate change
C. personalize the suffering experienced by families of missing fishermen
D. compare living conditions in different coastal districts
Question 3
As used in the passage, the phrase âsea widowsâ most nearly refers to:
A. women who work in the fishing industry
B. women whose husbands disappeared at sea and never returned
C. women who migrated away from coastal villages
D. women employed by shipping companies
Question 4
Which choice provides the best evidence that climate change is increasing dangers for fishermen?
A. âMany people refer to them as âsea widows.ââ
B. âThe contribution of the marine sector to the countryâs fisheries economy is decreasing every year.â
C. âScientists and researchers warn that climate change is making the Bay of Bengal more dangerous through stronger storms, rougher seas, unpredictable weather, and rising tidal surges.â
D. âFamilies continue to struggle with debt, hunger, and social insecurity.â
Question 5
The passage suggests that families of missing fishermen often receive less support than families of deceased fishermen because:
A. local officials refuse to acknowledge disappearances
B. many fishermen are not registered workers
C. families cannot prove death without recovered bodies or certificates
D. coastal communities prefer private assistance over government aid
Question 6
Which choice best describes the tone of the passage?
A. Humorous and lighthearted
B. Analytical and indifferent
C. Critical and sarcastic
D. Sympathetic and concerned
Question 7
According to the passage, why do many fishermen continue going to sea despite the increasing dangers?
A. They receive high salaries from the government.
B. Fishing is often their only available source of livelihood.
C. They enjoy traveling long distances at sea.
D. Weather forecasting systems have improved significantly.
Question 8
The passage indicates that the issue of missing fishermen is an example of âNon-Economic Loss and Damageâ because it involves:
A. only the destruction of fishing equipment
B. losses that include emotional suffering and social instability, not just financial damage
C. the collapse of international trade routes
D. government spending on disaster recovery
Question 9
Which statement best summarizes the relationship between climate change and coastal fishing communities described in the passage?
A. Climate change has increased fish populations and improved income opportunities.
B. Climate change has had little effect on daily life in fishing villages.
C. Climate change has intensified environmental risks while reducing economic security.
D. Climate change only affects fishermen during cyclones.
Question 10
Which choice best describes the structure of the passage?
A. The passage begins with personal experiences and expands into a broader discussion of social and environmental problems.
B. The passage presents scientific data first and then explains unrelated historical events.
C. The passage focuses entirely on government policies regarding fishing rights.
D. The passage compares fishing industries in several different countries.