Throughout the months of Chaitra and Baishakh, the scorching drought and oppressive heat have left the streets, alleys, markets, and roads of the area deserted. Due to the impact of climate change, the severe drought and heatwave in recent days have made life in the greater Laksam upazila, including rural communities, chaotic and unbearable. 

 

As a result, thousands of people, including children, teenagers, and the elderly from all walks of life, have been afflicted by various viral diseases. Additionally, the prolonged absence of rain has caused dust and sand to pollute the air with toxic particles, while trees, plants, and cultivated crops are wilting. Meanwhile, illegal tractor and excavator activities for soil extraction have damaged government roads, both paved and unpaved, leading to dust and sand pollution that has further degraded the local environment. Moreover, black smoke from rice mills and brick kilns has endangered the area’s ecosystem.  

Multiple local sources report that the relentless heat throughout Chaitra and Baishakh has severely disrupted life in the region. Hundreds of children, teenagers, and elderly individuals are falling victim to various heat-related viral diseases. Over the past few weeks, government hospitals, health centers, clinics, and private hospitals in the southern part of the district have treated approximately 3,000 patients with various viral infections. Pharmacies are seeing a surge in crowds of patients with viral illnesses. The intense heatwave and scorching temperatures have left people speechless. During the day, the extreme heat has caused additional suffering for the marginalized, children, teenagers, and the elderly in the region. 

 

Furthermore, various viral diseases have emerged aggressively. In the last 24 hours, the temperature in the area has risen to the season’s highest level. Although there is some relief from occasional breezes, shortages of clean water and medicines have emerged. Canals, wetlands, ponds, and rivers are now dry. People are being deceived by purchasing bottled or jarred water and counterfeit medicines sold under the guise of being “pure” from markets. The local weather office has issued warnings of continued stifling heat, raising concerns about natural disasters. However, due to climate change, the monsoon season is significantly delayed. As a result, farmers are facing severe challenges due to the current water crisis affecting the upcoming Iri-Boro rice, summer vegetables, and fish farming. The heatwave in Chaitra has had a devastating impact on the livelihoods of local laborers, daily wage earners, and marginalized communities. Over the past few months, the extreme drought and oppressive heat have led to a rise in heat-related viral diseases and ailments in the area. Affected patients are constantly crowding pharmacies. Children, teenagers, and the elderly are the most affected by these viral diseases. Locals fear that if rainfall does not occur within the next 2-4 days, the spread of diseases will increase further.  

Multiple doctors from local private hospitals report that the number of patients with viral infections has been steadily rising due to the continuous heat in recent days. Due to the heatwave in Chaitra and Baishakh, the combination of stifling heat during the day, cooler nights, and climate change has led to a higher number of patients with diarrhea, dysentery, skin diseases, asthma, and other viral infections. They advise maintaining cleanliness, drinking plenty of cold water, consuming cooling foods, oral rehydration salts, sherbet, sugarcane juice, other juices, ice, and seasonal fruits. 

 

This heatwave is not only causing unrest in public life but also increasing health risks for the human body. Despite repeated attempts to contact officials from the district and upazila health departments and other relevant offices via mobile phone, no statements could be obtained.