Bangladesh's meteorological department confirmed that April of this year marked the hottest on record, with much of the country experiencing a relentless heatwave. This scorching weather is consistent with extensive scientific research linking heat waves to the effects of climate change, which are making them longer, more frequent, and more severe.
The severity of the heatwave prompted the government to close schools nationwide, affecting around 32 million students. According to Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, a senior forecaster at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the heatwave covered approximately 80% of the country, an unprecedented occurrence in terms of its duration and extent.
Temperature recordings from weather stations across Bangladesh revealed that April temperatures were between two and eight degrees higher than the average daily temperature for the same period between 1981 and 2010. The extreme heat has led to at least 11 heat stroke-related deaths in the past 10 days, according to health department spokesperson Selim Raihan.
While relief is expected with the arrival of rain from Thursday onward, Mallik highlighted that the absence of the usual pre-monsoon thunderstorms in April worsened the severity of the heatwave. Normally, these thunderstorms help cool the country before the onset of summer.
The situation has become dire for many Bangladeshis, with schools remaining closed until Sunday due to the heatwave's impact. Thousands have gathered to pray for rain, as life has become increasingly challenging, particularly for the less privileged segments of society.
The heatwave in Bangladesh is part of a larger pattern affecting South and Southeast Asia, with record-high temperatures observed in countries like Myanmar, the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and India. The warming trend in Asia is occurring at a faster rate than the global average, according to the World Meteorological Organization, underscoring the urgent need for climate action to mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures.
