People’s access to safe water decreasing as heat wave sweeping across the country

The mild to moderate heat wave sweeping nearly the entire county over the past several days has turned severe in at least eight districts as mercury went up further in the districts. The districts include Chuadanga where the temperature hit 41 degrees Celsius on Thursday, the highest in the current hot season and at the beginning of the Bengali New Year. Faridpur, Manikganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bagerhat, Jashore and Kushtia are the other districts facing temperatures up to 40 degree Celcius.
Temperatures between 40 degrees and 41 degrees Celsius are defined as severe heat waves. A mild to moderate heat wave, characterised by temperatures between 38 degrees and 39 degrees Celsius, has been sweeping over Barishal and Chattogram divisions and over the districts of Dhaka, Tangail, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, Narayanganj, Bogura, Naogaon, Sirajganj, Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Khulna and Satkhira.
In the capital city, the highest temperature was recorded at 39.5 degrees Celsius on Thursday. People, especially those fasting, are facing problems as the current hot spell is making the throat and skin go dry. The heat wave will become sweltering when the current low humidity of 22 per cent will go up in the coming days. This year’s highest temperature was recorded in Chuadanga at 41 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The highest-ever day temperature of 45.1C in the country’s history was recorded in Rajshahi on May 18, 1972.
The average temperature rose in March due to the lack of adequate rainfall this year, with the temperature rising further in April for this reason. People’s access to safe water is decreasing, leading to the outbreak of water-borne diseases, such as diarrhoea. The feared climate change impact has already affected weather and subsequent food production, productivity and well-being. People must adapt to the change and work to make the earth liveable by limiting fossil fuel uses, planning more trees, following renewable energy sources, stopping waste and adopting a minimalist lifestyle. The social actors and government must encourage people to ensure natural reservoirs and water bodies.