RAJSHAHI : Normal livelihood of the region, particularly of the vast Barind tract, is being affected badly due to the ongoing sultry weather that has been experienced by people for the past couple of days. The dismayed people are thronging marketplaces to buy glucose, oral saline, watermelon and other fruit to get relief to some extent as an uneasy situation is prevailing everywhere.
Local Meteorological Office recorded the highest temperature of 38.3 degrees Celsius at 3pm against 41.2 degrees Celsius on Friday which was the season’s highest temperature.
Abu Sayeed Mian, In-charge of Rajshahi Meteorological Office, said a mild heat wave hit most of the region and the situation may continue for the next couple of days. Since the beginning of this year, only 42 millimeters of rainfall was recorded so far. “We’ve not seen any significant rainfall in the region since January last because of the adverse impact of climate change,” said Abu Sayeed.
“It’s too hot for me. I drank one litre of water an hour ago but that proved completely insufficient to quench my thirst” said Ratan Sarker, a rickshaw puller from Boaliapara. Mostly, people whose livelihood depends on manual labour are the worst sufferers. Their daily income has reduced as they are compelled to take rest during the working hours at day time, creating a negative impact on their life and livelihood.
Meanwhile, demand for seasonal fruits like pineapples, watermelons and coconut has increased in the city because of hot weather.
Doctors at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital have advised everyone to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Professor Rezaur Rahman of the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences in Rajshahi University (RU) opined that the prolonged rainless condition has created a detrimental condition on overall public health in terms of drinking water as well as ecosystem and biodiversity.
Illustrating his academic and research expertise on the issue, Prof Rahman said global warming has been escalating gradually due to various reasons including carbon emission resulting in climate change. There is no way but to reduce global warming.
Massive afforestation can be the effective means of substantial and sustainable reduction of carbon emission, he added.
Besides, utmost importance should be given on transforming the existing irrigation system in the Barind area into surface water-based instead of the groundwater ones to mitigate the existing water-stressed condition.
Promotion of less-water consuming crops can also be the best way in this regard.