Implications of the April 2024 heatwave on the urgent need to develop our infrastructure to combat climate change.
Bangladesh has been witnessing its longest-running heatwave since records were started in 1948, with temperatures hovering over 40 degrees Celsius. As millions across the globe struggle to cope with the effects of climate change, Bangladesh has been experiencing this cruel heatwave for 26 consecutive days this April. National news outlets have reported that this heatwave has impacted more than 75% of the country and over 50 districts.
Educational institutions have been compelled to resort to school closures alongside posing an incredible threat to public health. At the cusp of becoming a nationwide disaster, this year’s heatwave has raised the question of how much the situation can worsen in the years to come and whether Bangladesh’s infrastructure is truly equipped to deal with such calamities.
WHAT CAUSES THESE HEATWAVES?
Heatwaves are usually a result of high pressure in the atmosphere that pushes hot air down towards the ground and traps it there. This heat can then linger for anywhere between a few days to several weeks. Bangladesh, situated just above the equator in a tropical region, is no stranger to such heatwaves due to its geographical location. However, the effects of rapid industrialisation and urbanisation have manifested into the country witnessing much longer heatwaves in recent years.
Along with causal factors like deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions that result in increased heat, Bangladesh’s rapid urbanisation has also meant a shift towards more concrete structures. These concrete structures only exacerbate the effects of a heatwave as they absorb and radiate heat, thus particularly posing a threat to more urban areas like the densely populated capital.
PROLONGED HEATWAVES FACING THE NATION
While the issue of heatwaves is not something that has only recently emerged in the country, Bangladesh has witnessed this natural phenomenon increasingly worsen over recent years. A deteriorating situation that can mostly be attributed to climate change, Bangladesh has witnessed similar situations of extended heatwaves in the past – in 2019, for instance, when temperatures soared over 35 degrees Celsius in April in places like Chuadanga.
With average maximum temperatures being 4 to 5 degrees Celsius higher than Dhaka’s 30-year average, this year’s heatwave has endured the longest since records of such heatwaves were started to be maintained in 1948. Similar to the case of 2019, Chuadanga witnessed the highest temperature this time too at 42.7 degrees Celsius.
It comes as no surprise that a link has been established between climate change and the lengthening heatwaves facing the country. With time, heat waves have become progressively worse, resulting in much more disruption than before.
IMPACT OF HEATWAVES
One of the most prominent effects witnessed has been the temporary closure of educational institutions. With some schools shifting to online platforms and others remaining closed entirely, education authorities and government alike have opted for this approach to decrease the health hazard to pupils. However, schools have now been reopened, with school gates now open to millions of students and their anxious guardians. The return to school is still under some restrictions, with preschools remaining fully closed and primary school hours shortened as per directive from authority.
Just upon return, national news outlets have already reported cases of heat strokes and people falling ill, with teachers and students alike falling victim to the heat. In a tragic turn of events, it has also been reported that a teacher from Chattogram, Maulana Md. Mostak Ahmed Kutubi, 55, and Ahsan Habib, an assistant teacher from Jashore, have succumbed to the heat and passed away. Several students have also fallen ill on their way to school, resulting in many not in attendance after the reopening.
Additionally, the heatwave has also posed a threat to the country’s infrastructure, such as power grids experiencing overload. Areas with poorer infrastructure have faced greater disruption to their daily life as they are left without air conditioning or simply electricity to cope with the scorching heat. Moreover, several districts have also observed road surfaces melting away, thus not only reiterating the extreme temperatures this year but also raising questions about the quality of our road infrastructure.
Furthermore, agricultural sectors have suffered tremendous losses as farmers witness their crops wither in the extreme heat. This has led to concerns over food insecurity and has posed a threat to the livelihoods of Bangladeshi farmers.
IS BANGLADESH EQUIPPED TO HANDLE HEAT WAVES?
Despite rapid urban development, little regard has been shown for Bangladesh’s worsening case of heatwaves. The nation’s infrastructure development is yet to match the escalating situation of this natural phenomenon. Much of the green spaces have already been eliminated in the capital and other urbanising areas to make way for commercial, heat-trapping concrete-based structures, thus exacerbating the situation.
Parallelly, many of the urban areas and public places like schools remain without access to advanced forms of air conditioning. Rural areas face even more disruption as the country’s infrastructure remains ill-equipped to provide full-time electricity to power fans. The unequal access to electricity alongside a lack of air conditioning leaves many communities exposed to the threats of worsening heat waves.
Similarly, with more rural-to-urban migration, already populated cities are only becoming more densely populated. Inadequacy in the quality of housing infrastructure in addition to more emission by city-dwellers has left the people ill-equipped to cope with future heatwaves.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE FUTURE?
The proliferating cases of heatwave that the nation is facing sheds light on two major areas: the nation’s infrastructure, and the urgency to combat climate change on a global scale. As one of the most climate-vulnerable countries currently undergoing rapid economic development, there is no better time than the present to redirect more focus and resources to develop more climate-friendly infrastructure.
Integrating technologies like carbon capture, regulating emissions, and adding more green spaces, especially in urban spaces are just some of the many recommended approaches.
Additionally, Bangladesh’s public healthcare system should be funded and trained more to better deal with heatwave-related fatalities and develop an early warning system to reduce threats to public health.
Finally, international cooperation is required urgently to aid Bangladesh in developing in a sustainable manner. As Bangladesh faces a disproportionate amount of climate effects, assistance in the form of aid, technology transfer, and educational programmes are just some of the many ways the international community can help the country.
The country remains in the grasp of its worst heatwave in its recorded history. As its people struggle to cope, this issue highlights the urgent need to develop our infrastructure and the need to combat climate change. Now more than ever, it is important for both the nation and the international community to step forward to safeguard the country’s people and its development.
