Millions of students have resumed classes in Bangladesh, defying a nationwide closure prompted by a heatwave last weekend.
Despite facing the longest heatwave in 75 years, schools reopened on Sunday as authorities issued another three-day heatwave alert for the South Asian country.
Meteorologist Shaheenul Islam reported that Sunday marked the 29th consecutive day of the ongoing heatwave, making it the longest such period recorded since the government began keeping track in 1948.
The highest temperature of the season, reaching 42.7 degrees Celsius, was registered in the southwestern district of Chuadanga on Friday.
In the capital city of Dhaka, meteorological data showed a maximum temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius on the same day.
Over the past week, Dhaka has experienced average maximum temperatures 4-5 degrees Celsius (7.2-9 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than the 30-year average for the corresponding period.
Extensive scientific research has consistently shown that climate change is contributing to longer, more frequent, and more intense heat waves.
Despite concerns, classes resumed on Sunday in Bangladesh, with anxious relatives accompanying their children to school gates as the country adheres to the Sunday-Thursday Islamic work week.
Lucky Begum, whose 13-year-old daughter attends a state-run school in Dhaka, expressed her feelings as she accompanied her daughter to school: “She was happy her school was open, but I was tense.”
“The heat is too much,” she told the AFP news agency. “She already got heat rashes from sweating. I hope she does not get sick.”
Save the Children reported that approximately 32 million students were affected by the school shutdown, as stated in a recent announcement.
Following directives from education authorities, preschools remained closed while primary school hours were reduced.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department warned that the ongoing heatwave would persist for at least three more days.
This surpasses the previous record of a 23-day heatwave in 2019, according to data from the department.
Dr. Mohammad Niatuzzaman, the head of Dhaka’s state-run Mughdah Hospital, noted a surge in patients presenting with heatstroke, dehydration, exhaustion, and respiratory issues.
Meteorologist Kazi Jebunnesa forecasted that rain might offer some relief after Thursday.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, another meteorologist from the weather bureau, indicated that Bangladesh hadn’t experienced such an intense heatwave since records began in 1948.
“It’s a record in terms of both duration and geographical coverage across the country,” said Mallik, highlighting that approximately three-quarters of the nation is affected by the scorching temperatures.
Mallik attributed the intensifying heatwaves to climate change and human activities such as rapid urbanization, deforestation, diminishing water resources, and the widespread use of air conditioning.
He expressed concern about the prospect of more severe heatwaves in the future, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate their impact.
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