The wrath of nature unleashed

In 2024, Bangladesh witnessed nature's fury as one calamity after another struck the country. From severe winter chills and scorching heatwaves to droughts, sudden heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and devastating floods, the nation faced relentless challenges throughout the year. Even regions traditionally considered safe from flooding, like Comilla, Noakhali, and Feni, succumbed to the impact of an unexpected cloudburst. A record-long heatwave engulfed the country in April, followed by two powerful cyclones. In short, the effects of climate change were glaringly evident as Bangladesh experienced the wrath of nature in its most extreme forms.

The year began with a biting cold spell. On January 26, the lowest temperature of the season was recorded in Tetulia, Panchagarh, at 5.8°C. Prior to that, on January 23, Chuadanga and Sirajganj recorded the country’s lowest temperature at 6.6°C. According to the Meteorological Department, 2018 witnessed the coldest winter in recent years, with Tetulia registering 2.6°C on January 8, the lowest temperature in Bangladesh’s history. Comparatively, 2024’s winter ranked as the third coldest, with temperatures dropping to record lows.

Moving into the warmer months, June 2024 was documented as the hottest June globally since temperature records began in the mid-1800s. This heat was felt acutely in Bangladesh, especially in April, which saw an unprecedented heatwave that brought the country to its knees. The scorching sun created a desert-like atmosphere, causing rail tracks to warp, road tar to melt, and crops like mangoes, lychees, and jackfruit to wither prematurely. In many areas, tube wells dried up, exacerbating the crisis. The heatwave was marked by an absence of storms or rain throughout the month, making it the longest on record. On April 30, Jessore recorded a temperature of 43.8°C, the highest in 52 years. This was only surpassed by the historical record of 45.1°C in Rajshahi on May 18, 1972.

Following the heatwave, the country was struck by Cyclone Rimal on May 26. With wind speeds of up to 90 km/h and a spread of 400 kilometers, the cyclone made landfall in the Sundarbans near the Khulna coast, causing heavy rainfall and widespread flooding in Bhola, Patuakhali, and Bagerhat. Villages in these regions experienced water levels rising by 6 to 8 feet. Later in the year, Cyclone Dana struck the southwestern region on October 25, with wind speeds reaching 110 km/h, causing severe damage in Satkhira and Khulna.

Mid-August brought an unexpected cloudburst that wreaked havoc in the eastern regions of the country. Cold air from the west collided with a low-pressure system from the Bay of Bengal over the Comilla-Noakhali border, while the monsoon strengthened simultaneously. This convergence caused a massive accumulation of clouds that led to the cloudburst, starting on August 19. Over three days, heavy rainfall inundated the eastern districts, including Comilla, Noakhali, and Feni. Rainfall records were shattered, with Feni receiving 435 mm, Comilla over 557 mm, and Noakhali 605 mm between August 19-22.

This year also saw the simultaneous impacts of both El Niño and La Niña. El Niño, meaning "the little boy" in Spanish, refers to a warm ocean current in the Pacific that disrupts normal wind patterns, leading to higher global temperatures. This phenomenon, which typically occurs every two to seven years and lasts one to one and a half years, was felt in Bangladesh in 2024. It caused stagnant, oppressive weather with reduced wind flow, occasionally reversing the direction of prevailing winds. Conversely, La Niña, meaning "the little girl," caused stronger easterly winds and heavy rainfall, resulting in the August cloudburst. The combined effects of these phenomena further amplified the climate's unpredictability, pushing the country to the brink of disaster.

As the year ends, 2024 stands as a stark reminder of the growing impacts of climate change. Bangladesh endured a year of extreme weather, underscoring the urgent need for climate resilience and global action to mitigate its devastating effects.