The temperature in Bangladesh is rising at an alarming rate. According to an analysis by this daily using data from the World Bank’s Climate Change Knowledge Portal and the Lancet Countdown, the number of days each year when the heat feels unsafe for the human body has nearly tripled—from 46 days in 2000 to 120 days in 2024. Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s data also show how intense and widespread the heat has become, with heatwaves affecting up to 40 districts on the same day (June 2) this year. The situation is made worse by high humidity, which prevents the body from cooling itself and makes the weather feel much hotter than it actually is. On some days in Dhaka, 35 degrees Celsius can feel closer to 45 degrees Celsius, which is deeply concerning.

The country now ranks fourth in the world for the number of days with a heat index above 35 degrees Celsius, behind only three Gulf countries known for their desert climates. Most scientific research attributes this dramatic rise primarily to human-induced climate change. Studies suggest that 60 percent of the heatwaves recorded in Bangladesh between 2020 and 2024 would not have occurred without climate change. The problem is being worsened by unplanned urbanisation, unchecked industrialisation, shrinking green spaces, and rapid deforestation. Cities like Dhaka have become heat islands where concrete and dense construction trap heat, while the continued loss of forest cover is weakening one of our strongest natural defences against rising temperatures.

Heat exposure is linked to rising mortality, worsening physical and mental health, and declining productivity. According to reports, heat-related illness and lost productivity cost Bangladesh up to $1.78 billion in 2024 alone. Agricultural workers, construction labourers, transport workers, and others who work outdoors are among the hardest hit. For many daily wage earners, extreme heat means fewer working hours and less income. In a country where millions of families already face financial hardship, these losses threaten livelihoods, food security, and overall well-being.

Under the circumstances, the government must treat rising heat as a major public health and economic challenge and develop a comprehensive heat action plan. This should include early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, heat-health monitoring, and emergency response measures. Hospitals must be prepared to deal with heat-related illnesses, while outdoor workers should have access to drinking water, shaded rest areas, and flexible working hours during peak heat. The government should also expand green spaces, protect water bodies, strengthen climate-resilient infrastructure, and stop further deforestation. Climate adaptation strategies must focus on vulnerable communities, particularly low-income households and outdoor workers. As extreme heat becomes more common, our response must prioritise those most at risk.