Three visually impaired people from a begging family cool down with ice creams on a footpath in Dhaka's Motijheel area Friday, seeking respite from the intense heatwave. — FE Photo by Shafiqul Alam Shahidul Molla's arrival at Farmgate on Friday afternoon painted a picture of complete exhaustion. The 50-year-old rickshaw-puller resembled a rag soaked in sweat. His calloused hands -- gripping the rickshaw handles -- shone with a gloss that spoke of his 30-minute battle against the relentless sun.
The scorching heat added a cruel layer to Shahidul's already-demanding job.
Not only does it cause severe physical discomfort, but it also leads to longer wait times plus reduced income at the end of the day.
"One of my fellow rickshaw pullers fainted on Wednesday afternoon while on his way from Karwan Bazar to Tejgaon railway station," Shahidul shared. Yet, putting food on the table for his family of four leaves him with no other choice but to continue pulling his rickshaw.
For manual labourers and other marginalised communities, the cost of staying safe during heat waves is hefty.
Motorcycle driver of a ride-hailing company Mahabub Hossain has been unable to leave his home for the past three days due to the Dhaka mercury hovering around 40 degrees Celsius. This absence has meant sacrificing his daily earnings of Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500.
Mr Hossain says he was stretched to the limit. Now, he will have to come out for work even if the hot spells do not subside. "I am utterly helpless. I know the dangers of excessive sun exposure, like heatstroke."
During a visit to various key points of Dhaka such as Farmgate, Kawran Bazar, Shahbagh, Paltan and Gulistan on Friday, roads were found with thin traffic and commuters, contemplating Eid holidays.
Many people were seen seeking refuge in shadows after short walks, while others opted to stay home and suspend their work.
The meteorological office's 72-hour forecast issued on Friday evening said the heat wave will continue for several days across most of the country.
"Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over rest parts of Dhaka, Rajshahi & Khulna divisions and the divisions of Rangpur, Mymensingh & Barishal and the districts of Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni & Bandarban and it may continue," it said.
Due to increasing moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase, it added.
Dhaka on Friday reported the highest 38.2 degrees Celsius and the lowest 28.3 degrees Celsius temperature.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the country has recorded the longest at-stretch heat wave in 76 years.
The BMD officials said the heat wave this year has been not only a long-lasting one but also its range is much wider covering 75 per cent of the country.
Temperature between 36.0 and 37.9 degrees Celsius is known as a mild heat wave, between 38- 39.9 degrees Celsius is moderate, between 40.0 and 41.9 Celsius and over 42.0 degrees Celsius is very severe.
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