The 2024 Bangladesh heatwave is a significant climatic event and affecting the South Asian nation of Bangladesh.[1] Characterized by extremely high temperatures that have reached up to 42°C (108 F), [2]1 6 degrees more than the annual average,[3] the heatwave has led to nationwide school closures, impacting an estimated 33 million children's education.[3] The heatwave, which is sweeping over several northern and southern districts of Bangladesh,[4] is considered one of the most intense since records began in 1948.[5] The event has been attributed to climate change[6] and linked to other man-made causes, including rapid urbanisation, forest clearance, shrinking water bodies, and increased usage of air conditioning.[5] This heatwave marks the second consecutive year that Bangladesh has been forced to close schools due to extreme heat.[7]
| Areas | Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Start date | April 1, 2024 |
| Peak temp. | 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Losses | |
| Deaths | 15+ |
| Injuries | Unknown |
History
editThe 2024 Bangladesh heatwave represents a continuation of a disturbing climatic trend in the region. Historical data indicates an increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in Bangladesh over the past few decades. The 2023 Asia heat wave, which led to nationwide school closures, was the first of such severity in the country’s recorded history.[8] The current heatwave, surpassing its predecessor in intensity, has further underscored the escalating climate crisis in the region. The repeated occurrence of such extreme weather events has prompted scientists to investigate their correlation with global warming and local environmental changes.[9] The 2024 heatwave, therefore, is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of increasing temperatures and extreme weather events that have been affecting Bangladesh and the larger South Asian region.[10]
School closure
editEducation minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, ordered the schools to remain remain open in the excessive heatwave. Nowfel has faced extreme mixed opinions from all teachers, students and parents.[11] On the other hand, the supreme court of Bangladesh has ordered schools to shut down on Apr 29, 2024 (Monday) until Thursday.[12]
Ending
editDuring the last weeks of the heatwave, it rained a couple of times and the temperature started to go back to the normal.[13]
References
edit- ^ AFP (2024-04-30). "Bangladesh, five other Asian countries swelter in extreme heatwave". Prothomalo. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "Bangladesh: Heat Wave - Apr 2024 | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ a b "Bangladesh: Extreme heat closes all schools and forces 33 million children out of classrooms - Bangladesh | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "Severe heatwave continues in parts of Bangladesh". www.newagebd.net. 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ a b "Bangladesh again closes schools nationwide due to heatwave". France 24. 2024-04-29. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "Climate change made the deadly heatwaves that hit millions of highly vulnerable people across Asia more frequent and extreme – World Weather Attribution". Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "Severe heatwave hits Khulna, some other parts of Bangladesh". www.newagebd.net. 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "Bangladesh reopens schools even as heatwave alert extended by three days". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "Extreme Heatwaves in Bangladesh: The Environmental Governance Perspectives". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ "Heatwaves broil South Asia with record temperatures". The Business Standard. 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ bdnews24.com. "Secondary schools return to class on Saturday". Secondary schools return to class on Saturday. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Report, Star Digital (2024-04-29). "HC orders to close all schools, madrasas till Thursday". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ bdnews24.com. "Rain pours relief for sweltering Dhaka". Rain pours relief for sweltering Dhaka. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)