South Talpatti Island facts for kids

South Talpatti Island is a small island in the Bay of Bengal. It doesn't have any people living on it. People in India call it New Moore Island or Purbasha. This island was a topic of disagreement between Bangladesh and India. It only appeared after a big storm called the Bhola cyclone in 1970.

South Talpatti Island: A Disputed Land

South Talpatti Island was a tiny piece of land located in the Bay of Bengal. It was known for being a place that no one lived on, which means it was uninhabited. The island was also special because two countries, India and Bangladesh, both believed it belonged to them. This made it a "disputed" island.

What is South Talpatti Island?

This small island was found in the Bay of Bengal, a large body of water next to both India and Bangladesh. In India, it was often called New Moore Island or Purbasha. In Bangladesh, it was known as South Talpatti Island. Even though it was small and no one lived there, it became very important because of its location.

How Did the Island Appear?

The island wasn't always there. It formed after a very powerful storm hit the area in November 1970. This storm was called the Bhola cyclone. It was one of the strongest storms ever recorded. The cyclone caused huge waves and moved a lot of mud, sand, and sediment from the sea floor. Over time, this material built up and created the new island. Scientists first saw the island in 1974 using satellite images.

Why Was it Disputed?

Both India and Bangladesh claimed that South Talpatti Island was part of their country. This was a big deal because owning an island in the sea can affect how much of the surrounding ocean a country controls. This includes fishing rights and even potential oil and gas reserves under the seabed. Both countries sent ships to the island at different times to show their claim. They tried to find a peaceful way to solve the disagreement for many years.

What Happened to the Island?

Over time, the island started to shrink. Scientists believe that rising sea levels and erosion caused by strong currents slowly washed the island away. By 2010, the island had almost completely disappeared under the water. This natural event meant that the dispute between India and Bangladesh over this specific piece of land was no longer an issue. The disappearance of South Talpatti Island shows how powerful nature can be and how quickly landscapes can change, especially in coastal areas affected by climate change.