An Island’s Disappearing Act

Posted on Mar 27, 2010

Wikimedia Commons

A map showing the disputed island in the Bay of Bengal will need updating: The point of land has disappeared beneath the waves.

A 30-year territorial dispute between India and Bangladesh was resolved this week when a tiny uninhabited island, known as New Moore Island to the Indians and South Talpatti Island to the Bangladeshis, up and disappeared (Ta-da!) due to rising seas.

Many attribute the loss of the island to climate change. As Sugata Hazra, a professor at Jadavpur University in Calcutta, pointed out: “What these two countries could not achieve from years of talking has been resolved by global warming.” —JCL

Al-Jazeera English:

A tiny island claimed for nearly 30 years by India and Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal has disappeared beneath the rising seas, scientists in India say.

The uninhabited territory south of the Hariabhanga river was known as New Moore Island to the Indians and South Talpatti Island to the Bangladeshis.

Its disappearance has been confirmed by satellite imagery and sea patrols, the School of Oceanographic Studies in Calcutta said.

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