In the quiet ruins of Old Podampetta, a once-thriving fishing village on India’s east coast, the echoes of laughter and the scent of saltwater have faded. The sea, once a provider, has become an adversary, eroding the coastline and unleashing relentless cyclones that have made staying impossible. This is not an isolated tale; it is a narrative unfolding across South Asia, where climate change is redrawing the map of human habitation.
In 2026 alone, nearly 8 million people in Bangladesh and India were displaced by rapid-onset climate hazards. While many hoped to return home after the immediate threat passed, others faced the grim reality of planned relocation—a permanent move away from places where climate change has made living increasingly unsafe. This exodus is not just about changing addresses; it is about uprooting lives, livelihoods, and cultural identities.
The Promise and Pitfalls of Planned Relocation
Planned relocation offers a glimmer of hope for communities repeatedly displaced by climate disasters. It can provide secure housing and legal recognition, opening doors to social security benefits, loans, and skills training. For many, it is a step away from the precariousness of tenant life and towards stability. However, a house alone does not make a home. As one resident of Khulna district in Bangladesh shared, “Here there are no roads… Every time it rains, there is waterlogging in front of our houses.” This reflects a broader issue: relocation schemes often focus on moving people to safety without ensuring they can rebuild their lives.
The Livelihood Challenge
A new house does not replace a lost livelihood. Our research in Bangladesh and India reveals that while some relocated households gained better access to markets or housing, others lost the land, forests, fishing grounds, or informal work that had sustained them. In Kendrapada, Odisha, a relocated participant lamented, “Even if someone wants to do farming they will not be able to do it. We were not compensated for lost agricultural land, we got land only to build a house. There is no work in this village.” The shift from self-sufficiency to dependence on cash income has pushed many to migrate further in search of work, altering the dynamics of their communities.
Cultural Displacement
The loss of cultural traditions and a sense of belonging is a profound aspect of relocation. As one participant in Odisha poignantly asked, “Is there a sadness greater than having to leave your place of birth?” They described leaving behind farmland, trees, and a home filled with memories, arriving in a place with “not even flowers to offer the Gods.” Cultural losses such as these shape whether people feel settled and respected in their new communities.
Fairer Relocation: A Community-Driven Approach
Our research suggests that relocation is more likely to succeed when communities are involved in planning their own futures from the outset. This includes adapting new spaces to their needs, creating areas for children to play, and shared spaces for community activities. New settlements must reflect local climate, culture, and everyday life, with homes that support cooking, privacy, livestock, and social interactions. Moreover, they must protect people from hazards such as extreme heat, flooding, or cyclones.
Planned relocation should only happen when people can no longer adapt safely where they already live. When it is unavoidable, governments need to plan for more than the move itself. They must help ensure people no longer face displacement-related disadvantages after moving. This includes providing access to jobs, transport, schools, healthcare, and more, allowing people to thrive in their new homes.
As South Asia grapples with the growing climate crisis, the stories of communities like Old Podampetta serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of climate change. It is a call to action for leaders to focus on better river management, smart climate plans, and helping local people rebuild their lives. If we ignore these signs and fail to prepare, South Asia’s map may indeed need to be redrawn in the future.
