With temperatures reaching unbearable levels, there is a call from public health experts and meteorologists to officially declare the heatwave a disaster and to establish a comprehensive action plan to address its impacts. Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief says it is considering the ongoing heatwave in Bangladesh as a “disaster”. During the current summer season, the country has been experiencing a prolonged period of heat, causing widespread disruption to daily life. Instances of heatstroke have led to fatalities, numerous hospital admissions, and significant damage to crops and fruit trees. In response to inquiries about whether heatwaves should be declared disaster like droughts, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md. Mohibbur Rahman emphasized, “I certainly would call this extreme heatwave a disaster.” Dhaka’s air ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning The ministry is actively gathering data on the severity of the heat, which has caused various forms of damage, including deaths from heatstroke, illness, and agricultural losses. This information will guide their decision on whether to extend financial and other forms of assistance to those affected, the state minister said. Secretary Md. Kamrul Hasan of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief stated that while the government last declared lightning a disaster in 2016, the suggestion to categorize heatwaves similarly is under consideration. The ministry is collecting data on the highest temperatures and their impacts to determine the next steps. Public health expert and former director of Disease Control at Directorate General of Health Services, Professor Dr. Be-Nazir Ahmed, warned that the current extreme temperatures pose a serious health risk, potentially leading to outbreaks of diseases like cholera. Dr. Ahmed advocated for strategic planning to prevent heatwave-related deaths and suggested that such a strategy should aim to make the heat more tolerable, including increasing vegetation and maintaining water bodies as cooling measures. Rain expected in Chattogram and Sylhet within 24 hours Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Dhaka University, stressed that preparation is crucial as average temperatures have risen by one degree Celsius from 2011 to 2020. He noted that the country is experiencing hotter summers and emphasized the need for strategies to adapt to these increasing temperatures. According to the Meteorological Department, a heatwave is categorized based on temperature ranges, with the highest category being "severe" when temperatures exceed 42 degrees Celsius. On April 20, 2024, the country recorded its highest temperature of the season at 42.6 degrees Celsius in Jashore, indicating the severity of the current heatwave. Schools remained closed due to the extreme heat following the Eid holiday break. The ministry and experts are considering implementing national strategies to mitigate the effects of heatwaves, emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to protect public health and ensure economic stability in the face of increasing temperatures. Read more: Heatwave forces closure of schools until Thursday

The government of Bangladesh has issued some precautionary measures to avoid deaths and injuries by lightning strikes, which have already been declared a national disaster. Lightning strikes kill 250 people on an average every year in the country, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Thunderbolts also kill or injure a large number of livestocks. Lightning strikes mostly occur in from April to May till June and most of the deaths occur in flat lands and haor areas, said a handout of PID issued on Tuesday (May 23, 2023). Nine people including a woman died after being struck by lightning in Narsingdi, Chandpur, Kurigram Brahmanbaria districts on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 2,164 people died in lightning strikes in the country from 2011 to 2020. Considering the upward trend, the government in 2016 declared it as a natiinal disaster. Also read: Lightning strike kills 5 in Shariatpur, Barishal To avoid casualties, the government has asked people to take the following precaution: • Thunderbolts usually last 30 to 35 minutes and people have been asked to remain in their respective houses during this period. It is safe to go out wearing rubber shoes in case of any emergency which will protect people from thunderbolts. • People, who are in open paddy fields during thunderbolt, have been asked to sit down on their toes and put fingers in their ears. • People have been asked to take shelter under concrete sheds or buildings as soon as possible and refrain from going over the rooftop or high places during this time. • Children have been asked to refrain from playing outside and stay inside home. Read more: Lightning strike turning into deadliest disaster in Bangladesh: Experts • Avoid places where there are tall trees, electric poles and mobile towers as it is dangerous to take shelter under trees. • People should refrain from catching fish by a boat without a shed. It also asked people to stop fishing in the sea or the river during thunderbolt. • If someone is inside the vehicle, then the body cannot be connected to the metal part of the vehicle. • There is no problem touching any injured people hit by lightning strikes and people should be treated in the same way as those injured by electric shock. Efforts should be taken to restore the breathing and heart rate of the person injured by lightning quickly. It may be possible to save if artificial breathing can be arranged within a few minutes, if there is any delay it may invite death. • Provide Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to activate the heart of injured victims and take the victim to the hospital by ambulance or vehicle as soon as possible. Read more: Thunderstorm Lightning Struck Safety Tips: Stay Prepared.

The government has allocated Tk7.70 crore and 22,830 tonnes of rice for the people who have been walloped by natural disasters and Covid-19 restrictions. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief made the allocation Sunday. Around 5,450 metric tonnes of rice and Tk3.01 crore have been allocated for 64 districts under the district administrations; 3,280 tonnes of rice and Tk3.28 crore in favour of 328 municipalities. Also read: Covid: 77pc families in Bangladesh hit hard by first wave, says study Rice and cash will be distributed as aid on a priority basis to unemployed and deprived people, including transport workers, considering the impact of Covid-19 and natural disasters, Md Selim Hossain, senior information officer of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, said. The eligible people can get food assistance – rice, pulses, salt, oil, potatoes – from the allotment after calling the national helpline 333, he added. Also read: More homeless families set to receive homes Sunday "Also, 14,100 metric tonnes of rice and Tk1.41 crore have been allocated in favour of 64 district administrations to assist the people affected by Covid-19, floods, river erosion and natural calamities," Selim said.

At least nine people were killed and two others sustained injuries from lightning strikes in Chattogram, Feni, Manikganj and Magura districts on Sunday. In Chattogram, four people including two women were killed and two others injured as thunderbolt struck them in Fatikchhari, Boalkhali and Mirsarai upazilas of the district in the morning. Lucky Das, 38, wife of Banuswar Das and Bhanu Sheel, 40, wife of Jugendra Sheel of Kanchannagar Dulurpara in Fatikchhari upazila, were killed and two others injured being hit by lightning while they were working at a field during rain around 11 am, said Kanchannagar union parishad member Afsar Uddin. The injured women identified as Maloti rani Das, 50, wife of Mantosh Dash and Shobha Rani Dey, 45, wife of Bhuban Dey were taken to Abdul Monayem General Hospital. Also read: Lightning strikes kill four in Dhaka amid rain Besides, Sazzad Hossain, 16, son of Mosharraf Hossain of East Domkhali village in Mirsarai upazila was killed by lightning strike while he was working at a field with his father. Meanwhile, Mohammad Jahangir, 39, a day labourer, was killed by lightning strike in Boalkhali upazila in the morning. In Feni, two people including a minor boy were killed when a thunderbolt struck them at Alampur village in Sonagazi upazila in the morning. The deceased were identified as Sazeda Akter Sathi, 15, a madrasha student and daughter of Soleman of Alampur village and Al Amin, 6, and son of Mohammad Bahar of Charsahabikari village in the upazila. Also read: Lightning strikes to kill 3 in Chapainawabganj In Manikganj, two people, including a college student were killed by lightning strikes in Ghior and Daulatpur upazila. The deceased were identified as Shahin,18 and Mostofa, 40. Meanwhile in Magura’s Mohammadpur upazila, a housewife named Sakiron Nesa, 50 was killed by a streak of lightning as she was doing household chores. Officer-in-Charge of Mohammadpur police station, Tarak Nath Bishwash said a case of unnatural death was filed in this connection. Lightning safety tips Lightning strikes claim hundreds of lives in Bangladesh every year. The deaths mostly occur in the warmer period of the year from April to June, as hailstorms occur most frequently during this time. Also read: 6 killed by lightning strikes in Sirajganj, Cumilla The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief in a guideline says lightning usually continues for 30-45 minutes and urged people to stay indoors or take cover during the period. Installing lightning insulation bars in every building in lightning prone regions is an essential long term safety measure, according to the ministry. Recommended safety tips while outdoors during lightning include finding shelter immediately, wearing shoes with rubber sole, sitting down on toes, shutting ears while in open field, staying away from each other, avoiding using electric instruments, staying away from tall trees, electric poles and mobile towers. Checking the weather forecast before participating in any outdoor activities is essential to be safe from lightning in the stormy season.

Six people have been killed as lightning struck them in separate places in Sirajganj and Cumilla districts. In Sirajganj, four people including two women were killed in lightning strikes in Shahzadpur and Ullapra upazilas on Monday. The deceased were identified as Nazmul, 15, son of Azam Bepari and Hashem Ali, 25, son of Azgarh Ali of Dugli village, Shakera Khatun, 60 of Chithulia village in Shahzadpur upazila and Mohona Khatun, 17, daughter of Mosharraf Hossai of Ullapara upazila. Read:Lightning strikes kill 10 across country, including 6 in Jamalpur Shahid Mahmud, officer-in-charge of Shahzadpur Police Station, said Shakera Khatun died when a thunderbolt struck her while working in the yard in the evening. Nazmul and Hashem Ali also met the tragic death as thunderbolt struck them amid rain. Besides, a streak of thunderbolt struck Mohana while she was working near her house at West Krishtapur village in Ullapara. In Cumilla, two fishermen were killed and two others injured in a lightning strike while fishing in the Kanthalia river at Jagannathkandi in Homna upazila on Monday. The deceased were identified as Md Alamgir, son of Afaz Uddin alias Afal Mia and Titu Chandra Das, son of Nepal Chandra Das. Injured Amulya Chandra Das and Nepal Chandra Das were admitted to the Upazila Health Complex. Then Amulya Chandra Das was sent to Dhaka as his condition deteriorated. No 1 Mathabhanga Union Parishad Chairman  Nazirul Haque Bhuiyan confirmed the matter. Read: Lightning strikes kill 3, including child, in Chapainawabganj Lightning strikes claim hundreds of lives in Bangladesh every year. The deaths mostly occur in the warmer period of the year from April to June, as hailstorms occur most frequently during this time. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief in a guideline says lightning usually continues for 30-45 minutes and urged people to stay indoors or take cover during the period.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday donated Tk25 lakh as financial assistance to the family of a deputy secretary who died from Covid-19 recently. PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah handed over two separate family savings certificates to Fatema Naharin Nira, wife of late deputy secretary Abul Khair Md Maruf Hasan, on behalf of the prime minister. Nira received one certificate – equivalent to Tk20 lakh – in her name and another of Tk5 lakh in the name of Maruf Hasan's mother Mahfuza Akter Banu. Maruf, who was deputy secretary at the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, breathed his last on April 15 at the age of 48. He left behind his wife, two children and elderly mother.

Awami League general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said 1.25 crore families will receive food aid. He also said that 35 lakh will get Eid gift from the Prime Minister very soon. Awami League General Secretary made the announcement while addressing a press briefing at his official residence. Also read: Zero-tolerance against irregularities in relief activities: Obaidul Quader Sheikh Hasina's government is sincerely trying to coordinate the lives and livelihoods of the people during this coronavirus pandemic. As part of it, food assistance will be provided to 1.25 crore families who were affected by the lockdown. Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will operate the distribution campaign. He also said the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will provide financial assistance to 35 lakh poor families as Eid gifts ahead of the Eid. Also read: Prepare a list of instigators of terrorism: Quader Deputy Commissioners and Upazila Nirbahi Officers were directed to make a list in this regard. Meanwhile, he urged all private organisations and individuals alongside the government to help the affected people during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The government has taken steps so that the low-income and jobless people do not face  any food crisis during the “strict lockdown” slated to be enforced from April 14 to contain the transmission of coronavirus.“So far, an amount of Tk 527.9 crore has been allocated by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief in two tranches. We’ll increase the allocation, if needed,” its Secretary Md Mohsin told UNB.The fund has already been sent to upazilas and will be disbursed in due time, said Mohsin adding, “Some 12.4 million families will get assistance. We’ll ensure that not a single family without income is left out.” Also read: Extreme poverty to fall to 3% by 2030: FM Bangladesh is set to undergo a week of “strict lockdown” from April 14. People with no fixed income will be out of jobs during this period. Millions had lost jobs during last year’s months-long ‘general holiday’ at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak. Food crisis had hit a large number of people during that period.But, Secretary Mohsin said, a contingency plan has been drawn out this time to make sure no one suffers from hunger.

The ‘National Urban Community Volunteer Database-2020’ was finalised on Sunday.

A refurbished multi-purpose cyclone shelter (MPCS) was inaugurated in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar on Thursday which can accommodate more than 1,500 people and will provide classroom space for up to 400 students.