Reza Mahmud :
The persisting heat wave makes city life paralysed. When the mercury reached the hottest in recent years, frequent load shedding of electricity and water crises in some parts of Dhaka have turned the situation worse. Besides, the unbearable hot weather created serious health hazards for the people.
According to the ICDDR,B in Dhaka, about 500 persons affected by the heat wave are getting admission to the hospital a day.
“My uncle fell down in Dilkusha area yesterday (Sunday) due to unbearable hot weather. Me, too, feel very sick. The weather is too hot,” said Amirul Islam, a businessman in Motijheel area.
According to the met office, the temperature has exceeded the normal limit of 30 degree Celsius for the Dhaka city.
It said there was 36. 6 degree Celsius in the capital Dhaka, which was the hottest temperature in the last few days. The office also said such hot temperature will continue for 3-4 days more.
“The heat wave will continue for some more days,” Abul Kalam Mollik, a meteorologist in Dhaka met office, told The New Nation yesterday.
Faced with the hottest temperature, many people prefer to remain inside home. The shops, market places, offices and public transports witnessed less people. Attendance in schools and colleges was also thin.
Shop owners in different markets also reported fall in their sales. “Many of our customers used to buy products before the holy Ramzan begins. But this year we found a very few customers due to this terrible hot weather,” said Adnan Ahmed, a shop owner at Gausia market in the city.
The streets found less people in day time. Most people were found taking shelters in shadows of different buildings like mosques and in parks.
Animals and birds have become impatient in this hot summer. Monkeys, dogs, crows and other birds were found taking water and bathing in water bodies.
Experts feared spreading of heat stroke and the rise in diarrhoea patients.
“We fear spreading of heat stroke. Diarrhoea patients will also rise,” said Dr. Mokhlesuzzaman Hero, Deputy Director of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital and a medicine and human health specialist, told The New Nation.
He also said the humidity also caused the people to suffer from cold, fever, flu and breath complications.
Dr. Hero advised the people to remain inside home in day time, if necessary.
The experts also urged the people to drink more water, juice and fruits during this hot weather.
