a punitive heat wave forced bangladesh Close schools for 33 million children Country battles hottest April In 30 years.
The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education announced last Saturday that most educational institutions will be closed until April 27th.
This is the second year in a row that Bangladesh has been forced to close schools to protect children from the intense heat.
of The beginning of a severe heat wave It is also having an impact on agricultural production not only domestically but also in neighboring India.
Average maximum temperature in the capital Dhaka Temperatures over the past week have been 4 to 5 degrees Celsius higher than the 30-year average for the same period, Bangladesh's Meteorological Department said.
The highest temperature this summer was recorded at 42.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga district over the weekend, while Dhaka was scorching at 40.4 degrees Celsius.
At least nine people, including a police officer, died of suspected heatstroke, and Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen ordered hospitals to prepare for an emergency.
The Metropolitan Ministry extended the harsh situation on Thursday. heat wave Warning until next week. Ministry director-general Azizur Rahman said the heatwave could continue until May 5, but added that temperatures may not rise above 42 degrees Celsius.
The United Nations children's agency urged parents to „take special care to keep children hydrated and safe“ during the heatwave.
„The severity of this heatwave highlights the need for urgent action to protect children from the worsening impacts of climate change,“ UNICEF said.
Thousands of Bangladeshis gathered in urban mosques and rural areas on Wednesday to pray for rain to provide a respite from the intense heat.
„Praying for rain is a tradition of our prophets. We repented of our sins and prayed for God's blessings for rain,“ he told a morning meeting of 1,000 people in Dhaka. Mohammad Abu Yusuf, an Islamic cleric who led the prayers, told AFP.
„Without rain, life has become unbearable. The poor are suffering greatly.“
said Rashed Chaudhry, senior global futures scientist at the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Institute. Turning from El Niño to La Niña And this year could be the hottest year on record. ”
Currently, ocean measurements show that surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are warm. El Niño He said it was likely to give way soon. daily star.
In India, the Union Meteorological Department has issued a „severe heatwave“ warning for some parts of the country, with temperatures rising to 42-44 degrees Celsius.
India Meteorological Department chief Mrutunjay Mohapatra said earlier this month that the country would see more heat wave days than normal from April to June, potentially hampering government efforts to curb food inflation. .
Due to severe weather conditions, the eastern state of Bengal has announced an early summer vacation for public schools from April 22.
The state government has also asked district administrations to arrange drinking water tankers in areas facing water scarcity.