Climate stress is increasingly affecting how vegetation grows and how land is used, especially in regions like Sylhet. This study explores these changes by combining climate data with satellite imagery to understand how shifts in temperature and rainfall over the past decades have influenced the area’s natural and built environments. We used climate records from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department alongside satellite-based vegetation indices (NDVI) and land use classifications derived through advanced image processing and GIS techniques. Landsat imagery from 1988 to 2025 was analyzed to calculate NDVI and assess land cover changes. Results indicate that average temperature increased during this period, while rainfall maintained a steady trend. Dense vegetation declined significantly, with more than 38 km² converted to sparse vegetation and about 7.6 km² transformed into urban areas. Additionally, sparse vegetation loss to urban and barren land exceeded 140 km², reflecting rapid urban expansion and growing anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems. Our findings reveal that rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns have led to a noticeable decline in vegetation health and forest cover. At the same time, urban areas in Sylhet, particularly Sylhet Sadar, have expanded, increasing impervious surfaces. The growth of urban areas shows a scattered pattern that becomes more compact over time, shaped by population growth and the region’s topography. Statistical analysis confirms that higher temperatures negatively impact vegetation, while fluctuations in rainfall and expanding urbanization contribute to wetland loss and degradation of agricultural lands. This study highlights how climate and human activities are intertwined in shaping land use and vegetation in Sylhet. It emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring using geospatial tools and adopting land management strategies that can help the region adapt and build resilience against these environmental stresses.