Dhaka is facing an extended period of intense heat as the capital reels under unrelenting high temperatures, which has made lives of city people unbearable.
City dwellers have experienced eight consecutive days of scorching heat. According to Met office, intense heat is sweeping over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and the districts of Dhaka, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Narayanganj, Rajshahi, Bogura, Sirajganj, Nilphamari, Chuadanga and Kushtia and it may abate from some places.
Country's maximum temperature on Thursday was recorded 37.4 degree Celsius at Mymensingh district while Friday’s minimum temperature 23.8 degree Celsius was recorded in Bandarban district.
A low pressure area has formed over southeastern part of Bangladesh and adjoining the Northeast Bay and now lies over the same area as a well-marked low. It is likely to move northwestwards and intensify further.
The land Depression over Uttar Pradesh persists. It is likely to weaken gradually. The axis of monsoon trough runs through Punjab, Haryana, center of the land Depression, Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal, center of the well-marked low to Assam. Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over the North Bay. The elderly, infants and young children, the obese, outdoor workers, and those with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk during excessive heat condition. Headache, cough, diarrhoea and fever are the major complaints of the majority of visitors. It is becoming unbearable with even the air conditioners failing to provide comfort from the heat in capital Dhaka. The scorching heat wave and high humidity levels are hindering life at all levels, as people are falling ill or show reluctance to leave home in the sweltering heat.
Scorching heat and high
humidity levels are
hindering life at all levels
The suffering of people is also to continue in the face of the continuing heat wave. In the capital, fares for manually drawn rickshaws, vans and pushcarts are on the rise due to the unbearable working conditions.
Acute water crisis in many areas especially of capital Dhaka, other metropolitan cities, district towns and even remote village has compounded sufferings of the people. Temperature was relatively higher in the west, north and central regions of the country than in the south and east regions. The heat wave brought the worst sufferings to the working-class people, like - day labourers, rickshaw pullers and farmers, especially those who work outdoor. On the other hand, sales of seasonal fruits, iced juices, and ice cream have also gone up from the high demand to cool the body, and the sales persons are also taking advantage of the situation hiking prices of these products.
But, many people were seen drinking various unsafe colourful drinks from roadside vendors amid scorching summer heat, risking being infected by different diseases as these drinks are made from substandard ingredients and served in unhygienic ways. Physicians caution such contaminated juice or drink can cause various diseases like diarrhoea, jaundice, typhoid, cholera, and paratyphoid.
People should refrain from drinking such contaminated drinks and not leave their homes unless there is an emergency. Beasts and birds are also suffering due to the continuous heat wave. Heat waves can have a significant impact on society, including a rise in heat-related deaths.
Population exposure to heat is increasing due to climate change, WHO says, adding globally extreme temperature events are observed to be increasing in their frequency, duration, and magnitude.
While the effects of heat may be exacerbated in cities, due to the urban heat island effect, the livelihoods and wellbeing of non-urban communities can also be severely disrupted during and after periods of unusually hot weather. All have to remain extra cautious against the current hot spell and avoid the burning sun.
