Amidst scorching temperatures, schools across Bangladesh have been suspended, rendering high school student Mohua Akter Nur unable to focus on homework in the sweltering heat at home, as reported.
With the country experiencing one of its most severe heatwaves on record, with temperatures soaring 45 degrees Celsius (7.2-9 degrees Fahrenheit) above the long-term average, millions of students have been instructed to remain at home.
In the capital city of Dhaka, where air-conditioned schools are scarce, attempting to conduct classes would have been impractical. However, 13-year-old Nur expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s decision to close schools.
In the sprawling megacity, Mohua Akter Nur’s parents and younger brother reside in a cramped, one-room apartment, where the stifling atmosphere inside mirrors the sweltering conditions outdoors.
“The heat is unbearable. Even though our school is closed, studying at home is nearly impossible. The electric fan doesn’t provide much relief,” she shared. “When the power goes out for an hour or two, it feels unbearable.”
‘Unbearable’
Rumana Islam, Nur’s mother, found herself drained from cooking for the family and collapsed wearily in a corner of their cramped dwelling.
“Last year was hot, but this year is unbearable — hotter than ever,” she lamented. “In the villages, you can find relief under the shade of trees and feel the breeze from the farmlands. But here in Dhaka, there’s nowhere to escape but inside our homes.”
Nationwide, temperatures exceeding 42°C (108°F) have persisted throughout the past week. Thousands of Bangladeshis sought respite in rural fields and mosques, praying for relief from the relentless heat, which weather forecasts predict will persist throughout the weekend.
Authorities anticipate schools to reopen on April 28, coinciding with a projected drop in temperature. Scientific studies have consistently shown that climate change is contributing to longer, more frequent, and more intense heatwaves.
According to recent UN estimates, Asia is poised to be the most vulnerable to weather-related disasters in 2023, with storms and floods causing the majority of fatalities and financial losses.
Once again this week, millions of individuals across South and Southeast Asia have grappled with uncharacteristically high temperatures.
Bangladesh, with its population of 171 million, finds itself at the forefront of the global climate crisis due to its frequent and severe floods, as well as its powerful cyclones.
‘Like you are burning’
The recent severe weather has triggered a diarrhoea epidemic in the country’s southern regions, as higher temperatures have heightened the salinity levels of local water sources.
In the vicinity of Nur’s family’s tenement building, numerous low-income families have resorted to staying indoors during the day to cope with the oppressive heat.
Mohammad Yusuf, 40, who, like Nur’s father and many of their neighbors, earns a living as a driver, shared, “The heat is so intense that it’s challenging to drive in these conditions.”
“You can find some relief when the air conditioner is running,” he continued. “But when you’re outside, it feels like you’re burning.”
