Govt to declare heat wave a disaster

The state minister for disaster management and relief Md Mohibbur Rahman said that the heat wave will be declared a disaster and the government is prepared to deal with future heat waves.

He said this to reporters in his office at the Secretariat on Thursday (May 9).

He said, “The level of heat wave may increase day by day. We want to adjust with it. It will be declared a disaster. In our climate, temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius can be considered a disaster. That's how we proceed.”

The state minister said, "We had prepared a programme during the heat wave last month. I took the initiative to provide water, saline, umbrellas all over the country. I took the initiative to make two camps on the south side of TSC and Sangsad Bhaban of Dhaka University, which was supposed to be inaugurated by the Speaker. I prepared to provide various materials including water, saline, and umbrella from these two places. People could take shelter here. Everything was ready, we pitched the tent and camped. But, due to rain, it didn't happen anymore. We are now prepared for future.”

According to the information of the Meteorological Department, a mild heat wave started in Rajshahi and Pabna on March 31. After that, the intensity and scope of the heat wave gradually increases. On April 13, the highest temperature in the country reached 40 degrees Celsius in Rangamati. Severe heat wave started from April 16. On that day, the temperature of Chuadanga and Bagerhat crossed 40 degrees Celsius. After this, most of the regions across the country became rainless. Monsoon hailstorm was also not seen. The temperature of the entire country is gradually increasing.

On April 20, the day temperature exceeded 42 degrees Celsius at various places, which means that the heat wave is very intense. That day the temperature in Dhaka crossed 40 degrees Celsius. Mild to extreme heatwaves are widespread across the country. During this time, the suffering in public life became extreme. A few people also died of heatstroke in the intense heat.

On April 29, the temperature in Dhaka was recorded at 40.5 degrees Celsius. That was the highest temperature in Dhaka this season. On April 30, the temperature in Jashore rose to 43.8 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature in the country since 1989.