Following the onset of summer, light to medium heat waves have begun to sweep over different parts of the country. Mild heat waves are reportedly sweeping over Chittagong, Ranga Mati and Coxs Bazaar districts, and are expected to fast turn into medium to extreme in coming days.
Countrys highest temperate was already recorded at 37.1 degree Celsius in Coxs Bazaar on Saturday.
However, in a country as ours heat waves sweeping over during the summer months are not a new phenomenon, what is new is the disturbing severity of heat waves triggered by climate change.
Needs be mentioned, a study published by the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Centre in 2022 revealed that Dhaka loses nearly $ 6 billion worth of labour productivity each year due to heat stress from extreme temperatures.
Just last year, Dhaka experienced the hottest day in 58 years. While unbearable heat waves have been sweeping over the country in recent years, Dhaka dwellers are also experiencing frequent blackouts due to regular power cuts in many parts of the city. Moreover, fasting during the ongoing month of Ramadan will likely get difficult for those marginalised and low income groups of people - those who have to remain outdoors for lengthy hours due to their livelihoods - namely rickshaw pullers, hawkers and day labourers.
Previously the citys greenery, rivers and sprawling water bodies played a huge role in mitigating impacts of harsh weather conditions during summer. Following rampant felling of trees, unplanned urbanisation, drying up and destruction of water bodies, summer months will once more turn into a sizzling time with little respite.
As city dwellers will have to live and adapt with harsh weather conditions, we advise all to include preventive and precautionary methods in their life styles, particularly those who have to remain outdoors for lengthier hours.
As far as heat related health dilemmas are concerned, we fear diarrhoea cases will quick climb up. It is usually in summer when diarrhoea cases jumps up since warmer weather allows rapid growth of bacterial contamination in food resulting in food poisoning.
Understandably, it is relatively easy to treat the disease by drinking sufficient amount of clean water and saline coupled with following health hygiene rules. For those who will be fasting, we advise not to commute outdoors unless necessary and drink enough quantity of liquid after breaking everyday fast.
To finish with, it is crucial for the country to have a heat action plan. Such plan must incorporate an advanced warning system to alert people of an upcoming heat wave threat. Mass awareness campaigns should be launched to educate people about the effects of exposure to extreme heat. Some basic facilities, such as safe drinking water and primary treatment should be made easy to access. In addition, time adjustments for work and schooling during hot summer days can give a degree of respite to people and children.
