Moshiur Rahman Selim, Cumilla

Pounded by erratic weather patterns and intense heatwaves typical of the Bengali month of Bhadro, people across all walks of life in southern Cumilla are falling ill with colds, fevers, and various viral infections, leaving daily life largely disrupted.

The crisis is particularly acute across the greater Laksam region—encompassing Nangalkot, Lalmai, and Monoharganj upazilas. As Bhadro draws to a close, a volatile mix of capricious weather, sweltering heat, the tail-end of the monsoon, and early hints of winter, compounded by climate shifts, has thrown normal life out of gear. Hundreds of children, adolescents, and elderly residents are being struck down by viral ailments, including fevers, colds, coughs, pneumonia, and diarrhea. Government and private hospitals are experiencing a sudden surge in patient admissions.

According to local sources, marginalized populations, children, and senior citizens are bearing the brunt of the weather-induced sufferings. The sudden intensification of heat over the past ten days has triggered a severe outbreak of viral diseases across the region. The meteorological office has forecasted multiple spells of erratic weather and drizzle throughout Bhadro and Ashwin, warning that heat intensity is likely to spike toward the end of the month.

Low- and middle-income families in the area find themselves in a tight squeeze, burdened by economic stagnation in rural areas, political instability, financial hardship, and recurring health scares like dengue and chikungunya. The living standards of daily wage earners and impoverished locals have taken a heavy toll.

Local pharmacy owners report that illnesses have spiked everywhere due to the recent erratic weather and scorching Bhadro heat. Children, adolescents, and the elderly are the most vulnerable, flooding local drugstores daily to buy medication as shopkeepers struggle to keep up with the demand. Failing to secure proper treatment at government hospitals and health clinics, ordinary people are turning to private clinics and hospitals in municipal towns, where they face exorbitant out-of-pocket medical expenses and often fall victim to predatory diagnostic testing fees. Many families avoid admitting patients to public hospitals due to poor environments and mismanagement, opting instead for private clinics despite the financial strain.

A member of a private clinic's medical board in Laksam Pourashava explained that Bhadro's heatwaves and volatile weather tend to be dry, allowing thousands of disease-causing pathogens to circulate through the air. These germs can easily enter the human body via respiration or contact, triggering illness at any time. During unstable weather conditions, experts advise maintaining peace of mind, avoiding crowds, and consuming vitamin C-rich fruits, vegetables, and greens. 

As the severity of seasonal hazards deepens, people remain at risk of contracting neuro-orthopedic conditions, scabies, and various viral infections, with children and the elderly suffering the most.