Against the waves: Flood defences in Bangladesh Gallery (7 pictures)

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Men stand in line, sending mud up to the embankment. They are trying to build a new and stronger flood barrier after tropical cyclone Sidr destroyed the old one in 2007

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Thousands live on the embankments surrounding the island of Padma Pakur in the south of Bangladesh. On the left side is the ocean, on the right the flooded island, which used to be villages, cultivated land and fishing farms

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Men pass mud along a line as they build an embankment by hand on the island of Padma Pakur

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'The flood barriers are not able to prevent the flooding any more. I am afraid we will not be able to move back home,' says Sale Ha Begum. She is building a tent for herself and her son on the embankment. Since May, thousands have been forced to live on the narrow flood barriers in tents and temporary cabins

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Between the beach and the town, huge areas are planted with trees to prevent erosion and act as a shield against winds

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After a day of fishing in Bengal Bay, boats returns to the beach. The water is coming closer to land, causing erosion along the longest beach, Inani beach. The government tries to prevent the erosion by planting trees and reinforcing the embankment

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Men and women fish along the embankment. It is one of the few ways the local population is able to get food and a small income