Dhaka now is, as though, a boiling cauldron. The murderous heat is sweeping the whole country; but Dhaka is hit the hardest. The wrath of the extreme heat has resulted in an abrupt surge in various illnesses like heat exhaustion, protracted and persisting cough, diarrhoea, anxiety and depression. Besides, the country incurs a huge loss of workdays and a hefty amount of economic loss.
Since 1980, Bangladesh’s maximum temperature has risen by 1.1° C, while the ‘feels like’ temperature has leapt by 4.5° C. The country now ranks second globally for exposure to extreme heat. It is a matter of grave concern that Dhaka has been identified as a global hotspot for urban heat and it has warned notably faster than the rest of the country, with maximum temperature rising by 1.4° C over the past four decades.
Rapid urbanization, population growth, and unplanned development resulting in the loss of green space and vengeance on vegetation have been marked as key factors contributing to the ‘urban heat island’ effect in Dhaka.
Clearly indicating the problem of an overcrowded city of Dhaka, environment, forests and climate change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan rightly said it is high time Bangladesh decided how many more people it wants the national capital to host. It’s a capacity issue. Between 2001 and 2017 Dhaka’s total area grew by 19 percent, while the population rose by nearly 77 percent, sharply intensifying heat exposure. Green spaces are crucial for reducing heat intensity, improving air quality, lowering flood risk, and protecting public health.
The environment adviser was highly critical of developing unplanned housing plots around the city at the cost of losing greeneries and she advocated for preserving all trees, vegetation, forests, and green ecosystems around the capital, the importance of which can hardly be exaggerated.
We are in accord with World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, Jean Pesme, when she says that extreme heat is not just a seasonal inconvenience. Its impact is far-reaching. In Bangladesh, rising temperatures are affecting the health, productivity, and the country’s prosperity. By building on its experience in climate adaptation and taking a coordinated approach across sectors, Bangladesh can address heatwave impacts and maintain sustainable growth. The good news is that it can be done, as seen in countries like Singapore and others.
Now we need to spell out concrete measures for each agency to act on for combating heatwave. Like many other countries, Bangladesh faces real risks of lost human capital and productivity and this calls for urgent and coordinated action to protect people, livelihoods, and the economy from escalating risks. It is indispensable to take several steps, including setting an optimum population ceiling for Dhaka and promoting decentralization, establishing a functioning public transport system, protecting the last remaining green areas around the city, prohibiting building construction without RAJUK –sanctioned plan, and rolling out the ‘zero soil’ policy to fight air pollution by preventing exposed soil from generating dust. This initiative aims to cover bare soil in public and private spaces with grass and other vegetation. Extensive tree plantation programmes and greening efforts along roads, pavements, and water bodies must be taken immediately.
Finally, those responsible for climate damage must be held accountable. We urge stronger national preparedness through a multi-sectoral approach to heatwave management, and upgrading of health systems to treat heat related diseases.
