Bangladesh is now experiencing around 200 dangerous humid heat days a year as climate change intensifies heat and humidity risks across the globe, according to a new report by Climate Central.
“Dangerous humid heat days have more than doubled worldwide since the 1970s due to human-caused climate change. Globally, such days rose from an average of 10 days per year in the 1970s to 23 days annually during 2016"2025. Nearly 64 per cent of dangerous humid heat days recorded worldwide since 1970 can be attributed to climate change,” according to a new analysis by Climate Central released on Wednesday.
Bangladesh recorded an average of 200 dangerous humid heat days per year during 2016"2025, up from 175 days annually in the 1970s. In Bangladesh, where high temperatures often combine with intense humidity, dangerous humid heat has become a persistent reality.
According to the analysis, climate change is now adding around 30 dangerous humid heat days to Bangladesh each year " equivalent to an extra month of potentially hazardous conditions. In the 1970s, climate change contributed only five such days annually.
The report also highlights growing risks in Bangladesh’s major cities. Khulna now experiences an average of 224 dangerous humid heat days a year, while Dhaka records 210 days, with 25 days annually added by climate change. In Chattogram, residents experience 211 dangerous humid heat days each year, with climate change contributing 36 additional days annually.
Experts warn that humid heat is particularly dangerous because it prevents the human body from cooling effectively through sweating, increasing the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and cardiovascular stress.
“Extreme heat and humidity driven by climate change are increasingly affecting children’s health. We are seeing more cases of cough, breathing difficulties and asthma-related illnesses among children,” said Dr Shimul Mazumder, senior consultant in child health at Comilla General Hospital. “Compared to previous years, asthma and related respiratory conditions have risen by nearly 70 per cent.”
Doctors also say prolonged hot weather is increasing the spread of waterborne diseases.
