A year of natural disasters and accidents

The year 2024 posed significant challenges for Bangladesh, as it faced a series of natural disasters and accidents. From extreme heatwaves to unprecedented hailstorms, devastating floods, Cyclone "Remal," landslides, and lightning strikes, the country experienced severe impacts. In addition, increasing road, rail, and waterway accidents claimed numerous lives. These disasters caused extensive damage to crops and infrastructure, making the situation even more complex. Experts emphasize the urgent need for increased awareness, improved forecasting systems, and effective disaster management planning and implementation to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

Extreme Heatwaves Disrupt Daily Life

In the outgoing year, multiple instances of extreme heat created disaster-like conditions across the country. While seasonal rainfall in August provided some relief, prolonged heatwaves during other periods severely disrupted life in areas like Dhaka and beyond. From April 21 to 27, a "heat alert" was issued, and all schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions were closed.

Another wave of mild to moderate heat struck regions like Tangail, Jashore, Pabna, Nilphamari, Rajshahi, Sirajganj, and Chuadanga in mid-May, persisting in some areas until June. Rajshahi recorded the year's highest temperature of 38°C on June 23.

In late July, heatwaves affected 16 districts in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, as well as Tangail, Sylhet, and Chuadanga. By mid-September, Sylhet recorded the year's highest temperature of 38.3°C, with Dhaka's temperature exceeding 37°C during this time.

According to the Meteorological Department, frequent mild to moderate heatwaves and insufficient rainfall significantly impacted people's lives throughout the year.

Unprecedented Hailstorms in Sylhet

Severe hailstorms struck the eastern districts in late March. On March 31, Sylhet experienced a hailstorm where some hailstones weighed over 200 grams. The storm injured several people, damaged vehicles, and shattered windshields.

In April, hailstorms and storms in Bhola's Lalmohan and Habiganj's Nabiganj damaged Boro rice crops extensively.

Devastating Floods in Feni and Noakhali

In the last ten days of August, 73 upazilas across 11 eastern districts were affected by severe floods, leading to at least 59 deaths and substantial damage to crops, livestock, and infrastructure.

The floods caused 23 deaths in Feni, 14 in Cumilla, 9 in Noakhali, 6 in Chattogram, 3 in Cox's Bazar, and one death each in Khagrachari, Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, and Moulvibazar.

According to Oxfam, 90% of Feni and Noakhali's population was severely affected, with 48% of homes destroyed.

The disaster was caused by heavy rainfall and water flow from India's Tripura state, where the Dumboor hydropower dam's sudden opening worsened the flood situation in Feni.

Cyclone "Remal" Ravages the Coast

In 2024, two cyclones struck Bangladesh's coastal regions. Cyclone "Remal" made landfall on May 26, affecting 19 districts and 119 upazilas in the southern region, accompanied by storm surges.

The cyclone claimed 16 lives, injured or displaced 22 people, and caused significant damage to crops, properties, and infrastructure.

Landslides Claim 15 Lives

Three landslides in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban killed 15 people during the year, including 8 Rohingya refugees and a pregnant woman.

Experts recommend building retaining walls using modern engineering methods and ensuring proper drainage systems to prevent water accumulation in soft, sandy hills.

Lightning Kills 297, Injures 73

While there were no lightning-related fatalities in January, the next eight months saw 297 deaths and 73 injuries. Among the deceased were 242 men, 55 women, and 11 children.

Lightning claimed the lives of 152 farmers while working, including 18 who died while herding cattle.

Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTAF) highlighted several demands to reduce lightning-related deaths:

1. Including lightning awareness in school textbooks.


2. Providing half-hour prior forecasts through government channels.


3. Organizing awareness programs, seminars, and training.


4. Establishing shelter centers in fields.


5. Providing free treatment for the injured.



Road Accidents Claim 5,598 Lives, Injure 9,601

The Road Safety Foundation reported 5,598 deaths and 9,601 injuries in road accidents from January to September 2024.

The report recorded 5,485 road accidents, including the deaths of 677 women and 729 children. Motorcycles were involved in 1,924 fatalities (34.36%), with 37.21% of the accidents involving pedestrians.

During this period, 83 waterway accidents led to 124 deaths and 125 injuries, with 19 missing. Additionally, 243 rail accidents caused 227 deaths and 223 injuries.