Heatwaves sweeping across the country have taken a turn for the worse that already caused deaths of more than a dozen people during the past few days with sufferings of the working people knowing no bounds.
What is more worrying is that this scorching unprecedented summer heat is likely to persist until the end of this month with a little or no rain expected until then. A weather office source said that although there have been some clouds over the country which have somewhat reduced the intensity of the heat, the heatwave is expected to intensify again in the coming days.
This has prompted Bangladesh Meteorological Department to issue an extended three-day heat alert to make people aware of possible heat strokes induced by the increase in the moisture incursion.
Currently, a strong heatwave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Pabna, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jessore, Chuadanga and Kushtia districts and a mild to moderate heatwave is prevailing in Dhaka, Rangpur and Barisal divisions and parts of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions. Mymensingh, Moulvibazar and Rangamati are also experiencing similar mild heatwave.
According to weather office, the day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged due to the increase in humidity. The highest temperature on Tuesday was recorded at 40.06°C in Khulna, Jessore and Chuadanga. In Dhaka Division, the highest temperature was registered at 39.2 degrees Celsius.
Global warming and rapid urbanization have been mainly attributed to the growing summer heat in major cities of Bangladesh like Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Sylhet.
Dhaka city with a population of over 23 million is considered to be the hardest hit by the increasing summer temperature as the most of its citizenry live in buildings, flats and slums which are built with tin that can turn into an oven during the summer.
The issue of urban heat has become a grave concern as this has resulted from manifold increase of air condition use, rapid loss of green-blue space, construction of huge high-rise buildings and increased industrial activities.
Due to worsening weather condition, city dwellers who are to work outdoors like day laborers, rickshaw pullers, farmers and others are finding it hard to scrape by under the scorching heat of the sun. Even animals and birds are found restless and struggling in the intense heat.
Climate change is a key factor that has been warming up the entire globe. As per a new report published on Tuesday by the International Labour Organization, more than 70% or 2.4 billion of the global work force are set to be exposed to climate-change-related health hazards. They are likely to be exposed to excessive heat at some point during their work.
In Bangladesh, workers have already been exposed to the scorching summer heat to a large extent. This is why Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for relocation of money used in the war to fight the changing climate.
We hope that the world community will take her words seriously before it is too late.
