Extreme heatwave may linger until May

The entire country is reeling under the first spell of severe heatwave since the first week of the current month and the ongoing heatwave will persist throughout the next month.

"The Met Office issued a heat alert on April 3 and it has extended the heat alert as Bangladesh is likely to experience prolonged heatwave compared to the past couple of years," Shahnaz Sultana, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorologist Department (BMD), told BSS on Sunday.

"Intensity of heatwave may reduce for a very shorter time in some parts of Bangladesh if rainfall is likely with the impact of nor'westers, she said, adding that the country may experience temperature fluctuations as some regions may experience slight rainfall at the end of the month.

Bangladesh may witness extreme heat waves as there is little chance of rainfall during the summer season, the BMD meteorologist forecasted.  

A very severe heatwave is sweeping over the Pabna, Jashore and Chuadanga districts, according to the weather bulletin of BMD issued Sunday and its weather forecast is valid for the next 72 hours.

A severe heatwave is sweeping over Dhaka and rest part of Khulna divisions and the district of Rajshahi, the bulletin said, adding mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over Barishal division and the rest part of Rajshahi divisions and the districts of Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Feni, Cox's Bazar, Chandpur and Rangamati and it may continue.

Day temperature may rise by (1-2)°C over the Rangpur division and it may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere over the country, the bulletin added. Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Due to the increase in moisture incursion, the discomfort may persist.

According to officials of different hospitals, the lack of expected downpours lingers the nationwide heat wave, triggering an apparent health problem with an increased number of people reporting to hospitals with high fever, diarrhoea, pneumonia and sunstroke every day.

Hospitals in Dhaka are seeing a surge in patients from all over the country, presenting symptoms ranging from colds and coughs to fever and vomiting. Diarrhoea, headache, sore throat, and shortness of breath are among the more prevalent complaints among these individuals.

An average of 30 patients are being admitted per hour to the ICDDR,B in Mohakhali. By 2:00pm yesterday, 274 individuals had been admitted for heat and diarrhoea-related complications, a decrease from the previous day's count of 456 admissions, said hospital officials.

Poor working people like day labourers were the worst victims as they needed to remain exposed to the sun for longer periods while several workers like rickshaw pullers said they needed to take frequent breaks as the hot spells do not allow them to work for longer periods at a stretch.

A significant number of patients, who are suffering from fever, diarrhoea, or pneumonia, reported to different private and public hospitals while health experts suggested all try to stay indoors in possible cases or move out with protection against the scorching sun, covering their heads and bodies under umbrella to avoid sunstroke.

At the press conference held virtually, Health and Family Welfare Minister Professor Dr Samanta Lal Sen directed authorities concerned with the public hospitals to remain ready to extend healthcare services to people as the country is under the grip of the severe heat wave.

"Elderly people and children are the most vulnerable due to the ongoing heatwave . . . I am urging the people, particularly old-age and children to stay indoors to avoid heatstroke and other heatwave-related complications," he added.

Climatologist and Senior Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Rice Research Institute Dr Md Kamruzumman Milon attributed the extreme heatwave to human-induced climate change.

The adverse impact of climate change causes extreme heatwaves for longer period of time and unusual other disaster events including flooding, excessive rainfall and extreme cold weather.

Heatwaves and intolerable hot weather have increased three times in Bangladesh during six decades, Kamruzzaman said, "In 1961, the duration of the heatwave was seven days while comfortable days were 80 while in 2020, the duration of the heatwave was 21 days while comfortable days were 66 days."

He forecasted duration of the heatwave would linger in the coming days, "If we fail to take proper adaptive measures to reduce carbon emission."

/MHK/