Anisur Rahman Khan :
An excessive heatwave has been sweeping several divisions and districts in Bangladesh as two people fell victim to heatstroke in two districts, which compelled the authorities concerned to close educational institutions.
The country’s primary schools, higher secondary schools, and colleges will remain closed until April 27 due to the ongoing severe heatwave.
Education Minister Muhibul Hasan Chowdhry made the announcement on Saturday and said that the government has decided to shut down all schools and colleges across the country for the next seven days.
Meanwhile, Dhaka recorded 40.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, the second highest temperature since 1960. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s (BMD) recorded Jashore’s highest temperature on Saturday at 42.6 degrees Celsius.
The temperature was 42.3 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga and 41 degrees Celsius in Baghair.
The highest temperature in Dhaka since 1960 was recorded at 40.6 degrees Celsius last year on April 16.
According to the BMD, a severe heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, and Tangail.
As people are struggling, the BMD issued a heatwave warning for the country for the next five days.
A mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over Barishal division, the rest of Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions, and the districts of Chandpur and Moulvibazar, and it may continue for the next five days.
Earlier on the day, the primary and mass education ministry gave directives on Saturday to keep all the government primary schools, Shishu Kalyan Trust schools, and Bureau of Non-Formal Education learning centers for seven days from Sunday due to the ongoing heatwave in parts of Bangladesh.
However, the educational institutions were supposed to reopen today (Sunday) after 26 days of holiday on Ramadan, Eid Ul Fitr, and some other holidays. But the ongoing heat wave has led to an extension of the holiday.
Muhibul Hasan Chowdhry said that the schools and colleges will reopen on April 28 as per the new decision.
Meanwhile, various quarters have demanded that the government shut down educational institutions after the meteorological department announced a three-day heat alert across the country on Friday.
Severe heat waves are sweeping the Khulna division and Rajshahi, Pabna, and Tangail districts, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The heat wave condition will remain unchanged for the five days commencing at 9 a.m. on Saturday, it was predicted.
However, the Supreme Court (SC) administration has relaxed the requirement for lawyers to wear black gowns during hearings in the Appellate and High Court Divisions due to the ongoing intense heatwave.
The decision was disclosed in a circular on Saturday signed by Md. Golam Rabbani, the registrar general of the Supreme Court, under the direction of the chief justice.
According to the notification, the SC administration has decided to relax the mandatory requirement for lawyers to wear gowns during hearings in the Appellate and High Court Divisions, effective tomorrow until further notice.
The decision was made in consultation with the chief justice and other senior judges of the Supreme Court, considering the ongoing severe heatwave across the country, it added.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to keep all public and private schools—both primary and secondary—closed from April 21 to 27.
‘Discomfort might increase due to high humidity during this period,’ said BMD meteorologist Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik.
The combination of high heat and humidity can be deadly and may lead to many unexpected health issues, say experts. From heat stroke to brain disorders to depression, high humidity can affect your health in many ways.
Experts suggested drinking about one cup of water per hour and at least 2-3 liters per day. Besides, they also suggested wetting the skin with a damp cloth, spray, or wet clothing.
Extreme heat can be deadly, and everybody should avoid vigorous activity during peak heat hours, experts suggest.
In Pabna, the mercury soared to alarming levels, reaching a staggering 41.6 degrees Celsius in Ishwardi, marking the highest recorded temperature in the district this season.
One of the victims was identified as Sukumar Das, a 60-year-old resident of Shalgaria Zakir Mor, Pabna.
In Chuadangat, Zakir Hossain, a farmer, succumbed to heatstroke while working in the fields.
Hossain, who was planting jute seeds in the Paschimpara field of Thakurpur village in Damurhuda, fell ill due to excessive heat and passed away on his way to the Damurhuda Upazila Health Complex.
Experts suggested the people to stay hydrated, carry water when going outside, carry an umbrella for shade, use sunscreen with SPF to protect skin, avoid crowded places, drink water and ORS at regular intervals throughout the day and limit outdoor activity for the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic illnesses.
On the other hand, they also suggested not taking cold showers as drastic temperature dip can be a shock to body system.
It also suggested not eating heavy and spicy food, avoiding dehydrating drinks and strenuous activities when the outside temperature is high.
