Staff Reporter :
The scorching heatwave that gripped the nation over the past month has tragically claimed the lives of 15 individuals due to heatstroke in the last 14 days, according to the latest report from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The report indicated that within the 24 hours leading up to 11 a.m. on Monday, three more lives were lost to heat-related illnesses. Of the deceased, thirteen were male and two were female.
The Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room of the DGHS released this distressing information via a press release on Monday.
Magura recorded the highest number of fatalities, with seven deaths attributed to heatstroke. Additionally, fatalities were reported in Chuadanga, Habiganj, Rajbari, Jhenaidah, Lalmonirhat, Bandarban, Madaripur, Chattogram, and Khulna.
The report also highlighted that 34 individuals across the country have suffered from heatstroke thus far.
Interestingly, this is the first time the DGHS has publicly released data specifically on heat-related illnesses, underscoring the severity of the ongoing heatwave.
The press release cautioned that the actual number of deaths related to heat might be higher, given that the DGHS only began maintaining records on April 22, nearly three weeks after the commencement of the relentless heatwave.
Furthermore, the DGHS surveillance does not encompass private healthcare facilities, which significantly outnumber government ones, potentially indicating a larger impact than official statistics reveal.
The heatwave prompted the government to close all primary and secondary schools, colleges, and madrassahs across the nation until May 2 for the safety and well-being of students.
Following a period of intense heat, the weather has gradually moderated across the country since the onset of rainfall in the first week of this month.
The DGHS urged the public to remain vigilant during these challenging weather conditions and take necessary precautions to mitigate the risks associated with heat-related illnesses.