Mapping Climate-Induced Migration Pathways: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Coastal South Asia

Climate change is increasingly reshaping human mobility patterns, particularly in vulnerable coastal regions. This study investigates the spatio-temporal dimensions of climate-induced migration across coastal South Asia, focusing on areas most affected by sea-level rise, cyclones, coastal erosion, and salinization. Using a mixed-methods approach that integrates geospatial analysis, remote sensing data, and demographic trends from 2000 to 2025, this research maps key migration pathways and identifies high-risk zones of displacement. The findings reveal a complex interplay between slow-onset environmental degradation and rapid-onset disasters in driving both short-term and long-term population movements. Bangladesh’s deltaic zones, eastern India’s coastal districts, and low-lying parts of Sri Lanka emerge as critical hotspots. The study also examines destination patterns, highlighting rural-to-urban migration and the pressure on peri-urban areas. By visualizing these pathways and identifying socio-environmental tipping points, the research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of climate mobility and offers actionable insights for adaptive governance, disaster risk planning, and regional policy frameworks.