DHAKA: Amid an unprecedented heatwave in Bangladesh, thousands of citizens have gathered in Dhaka to offer prayers for rain as temperatures soar and heatstroke-related deaths surge, putting the country’s health authorities on high alert.
Normally, April in the region is marked by hot weather ahead of the summer monsoon season. However, this year has seen temperatures soaring to alarming levels, with some parts of Bangladesh recording highs of up to 42 degrees Celsius.
Since last week, Bangladesh has been on heightened alert as the relentless heatwave disrupts agricultural activities, poses health risks, and forces the closure of schools, affecting approximately 33 million children.
As the Bangladesh Meteorological Department issues renewed warnings that the heatwave is likely to continue through the weekend, thousands of people in Dhaka have gathered in mosques and open fields to pray for relief from the scorching temperatures.
Motiur Rahman Akand, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest religious political party, stated that special prayers for rain have been organized across Dhaka, drawing significant participation. He emphasized the importance of seeking divine intervention during natural crises such as drought, which cause suffering to humans and other living beings.
Meanwhile, hospitals remain on high alert as the heatwave takes a toll on public health, with at least 20 reported deaths from heatstroke in the past five days alone.
Dr. Moinul Ahsan, director of the hospital wing of the Directorate General of Health Services, highlighted the readiness of government health facilities to manage heatwave-related patients. He urged vigilance, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly, who are most susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
Bangladesh’s geographical and topographical characteristics, including its low-lying delta, make it exceptionally vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. Over the past two decades, the country has implemented various environmental initiatives to mitigate these challenges.
Ranked among the top 10 countries most susceptible to climate devastation, Bangladesh has earned recognition as a global leader in adaptation and resilience. In 2005, it became one of the first least-developed countries to launch a national adaptation program of action.
However, a recent report by the International Centre for Climate Change and Development warned that Bangladesh is nearing the limits of its ability to adapt to extreme weather events.
