Impact of Severe Heatwave in Bangladesh
Thousands of Bangladeshis gathered to pray for rain on Wednesday in the middle of an extreme heatwave that prompted authorities to shut down schools around the country.
Climate Change and Heatwaves
Extensive scientific research has found that climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent, and more intense. Bangladesh’s weather bureau reports that average maximum temperatures in the capital Dhaka over the past week have been 4-5 degrees Celsius higher than the 30-year average for the same period.
Prayers for Relief
Muslim worshippers gathered in city mosques and rural fields to pray for relief from the scorching heat, which forecasters expect to continue for at least another week. The country’s largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, issued a statement calling its members to join the prayer services planned for Wednesday and Thursday.
Impact on Daily Life
“Life has become unbearable due to the lack of rains,” said Muhammad Abu Yusuf, an Islamic cleric. “Poor people are suffering immensely.” Authorities ordered all schools to cancel classes until the end of the month, with the UNICEF urging parents to keep their children hydrated and safe through the heatwave.
Health Concerns
Temperatures across Bangladesh have reached more than 42°C in the past week. Hospitals in the southern coastal district of Patuakhali have recorded local outbreaks of diarrhoea due to higher temperatures and increased salinity of local water sources. State medical officer Bhupen Chandra Mondal stated that the number of diarrhoea patients is very high this year and is linked to climate change.