Protecting against heat waves

We are experiencing scorching heat this summer, with heat waves sweeping across the country. In times of disasters like fires, earthquakes and cyclones, we count the number of deaths and casualties. However, when it comes to heat wave, a silent killer, we often overlook its devastating consequences. Lives are lost, yet we fail to recognise the gravity of the situation or take necessary measures to mitigate its impact.
Heat waves, characterized by prolonged periods of excessively hot weather, severely threaten human health and well-being. The frequency and intensity of heat waves have recently increased due to climate change. While people of all ages are susceptible to heat-related illnesses, some groups, such as the elderly, young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable. In this situation, experts have advised people to take precautions to protect themselves from heatstroke, avoid coming out in the sun from 11:00am to 4:00pm, wear light clothes, increase the intake of fluids and fruits and above all drink plenty of water. Heavy and difficult-to-digest food should be avoided.
To combat the growing threat of extreme heat caused by climate change, Dhaka North City Corporation has appointed a chief heat officer (CHO). We hope this appointment, the first of its kind in Bangladesh, would be of help for the victims of heatwave in Dhaka city. The new CHO along with city corporation authorities is expected to play an active role in implementing urban planning strategies to minimise heat waves' impact. They should educated people of all ages about the dangers of heat wave and promote its preventive measures. It is now a luxury to sit idle in the face of heat waves and the authorities concerned should pay due attention to this natural calamity as soon as possible.

Thamid Thasin,
Student of North South University, Dhaka,
thamidthasin4@gmail.com