An update from Bangladesh - facing up to the human costs of record heatwaves

Image: Rong Phul from Rowmari, Rongpur, Bangladesh - pictured in 2021 for the Regenerators Appeal. Photo GMB Akash/Transform Trade

The scorching heatwave in Bangladesh highlights the urgent need for concerted efforts to mitigate climate change impacts and adapt to the rising temperatures, safeguarding livelihoods and well-being at local, national, and global levels.

Shahed Ferdous, Country Director, Transform Trade Bangladesh Programme

As Bangladesh faces another year of record breaking heatwaves, Country Director Shahed Ferdous reflects on the human cost of the climate crisis - and the need for urgent action.

Millions of Bangladeshis are currently suffering from a grueling heatwave, with temperatures unceasingly soaring around 40 degrees Celsius.  This unprecedented heat is disrupting daily routines while posing significant health hazards. This exacerbates existing difficulties, resulting in school closures, disruptions in paddy harvesting (Boro being the primary crop, harvested from mid-April to mid-May), and heightened health concerns. 

This scorching heatwave has wreaked havoc across various facets of daily life, notably affecting travel, agriculture, and general livelihoods. Travel has become notably challenging, with melting roads and increased strain on transportation systems. The extreme heat has led to health issues such as rapid dehydration from excessive sweating, posing life-threatening risks for pedestrians and commuters alike. Tragically, casualties have been reported, including the deaths of two school teachers. Even the Country Director of Transform Trade Bangladesh experienced the dire consequences of the heatwave, fainting during a routine visit to farmers. Such extreme conditions threaten the well-being of both children and the elderly, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions. 

For farmers, the timing couldn't be worse as April to May marks the crucial paddy harvesting period. With the looming monsoon, there's no option to delay, forcing farmers to toil under the blistering sun, potentially disrupting food supplies and jeopardizing the livelihoods of countless subsistence farming families, who form the majority of the population in Bangladesh. 

The heat also takes its toll on day-to-day work, especially in labor-intensive industries like manufacturing, construction, and rickshaw pulling. Heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke and dehydration instill panic among daily wage earners. 

Looking ahead, rising temperatures due to climate change may necessitate permanent adaptations in livelihood strategies. This could involve transitioning to more climate-resilient crops, implementing heat-mitigation measures in workplaces, investing in weather-resistant infrastructure, and exploring alternative livelihoods less vulnerable to climate impacts. 

Addressing the challenges posed by escalating temperatures demands concerted efforts at local, national, and global levels. This encompasses both mitigating climate change and adapting to its inevitable repercussions. As the heatwave underscores, the urgency for action cannot be overstated.