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

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh is now a model country in the world in disaster management as it has been able to ease disaster risks remarkably. “Today, Bangladesh is appreciated for effective disaster management for the initiatives we’ve taken following the footsteps of the Father of Nation,” she said while addressing a virtual programme from her official residence Ganobhaban. Read: UK commits £3.1 mn aid to minimise impact of disasters in Bangladesh, other countries The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief arranged the programme marking the 50 years of Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) and International Day for Disaster Reduction 2021. The audience was connected from the Osmani Smriti Auditorium in the capital and Muktijudda Field in Cox’s Bazar. Sheikh Hasina asked all concerned to remain conscious and take proper measures so that the honour Bangladesh has achieved as an ‘ideal country’ over disaster management is not harmed in any way. Since Bangladesh is a delta nation, she said, the AL government formulated Delta Plan 2100 and started implementing 80 projects according to the plan.  Hasina stressed the need for checking river erosion and enhancing water reservoir capacity to face floods. Noting that flood is common in Bangladesh but it is also a blessing as it provides silts and thus increases land fertility, she said, “We’ll have to control floods or to be habituated to live with floods. So, we need to undertake development projects to prevent the loss of lives and property, and have water reservoirs in every area. Read: Govt to give Tk7.70 crore to Covid, disaster-hit families

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has started presenting the national budget in Parliament for the 2021-22 fiscal year with a focus on health, agriculture, social safety nets and job creation. The finance minister began rolling out the Tk 603,681 crore budget around 3:05 pm outlining measures to save lives and create more jobs so that people can cope with the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read:Cabinet approves proposed budget for new fiscal The budget also has a big focus on disaster management and food security apart from addressing the Covid-related issues. This is the third time Mustafa Kamal presenting the budget themed as "Priority on lives and livelihoods, tomorrow's Bangladesh.", while it is the 13th budget in a row for the Awami League government and the 50th for the country. Earlier, President Abdul Hamid authenticated the national budget and the revised budget for placing before the Jatiya Sangsad. Read: New national budget to be presented Thursday, aims at regaining fast economic growth The total revenue collection has fixed at Tk 389,000 crore, where National Board of Revenue (NBR) will collect Tk 330,000 crore while Tk 16,000 crore will come from non-NBR sector and Tk 43,000 will come from non-tax segment. Besides, Tk 3490 crore will come from foreign aid, grants and loans. Read:President to attend parliament to witness budget presentation 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate virtually 140 cyclone and flood shelters besides laying foundation of 50 Mujib Killas across the country on Sunday, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Mohammad Enamur Rahman has said. Also on Sunday 30 district relief and disaster management information centres and five Mujib Killas will also be inaugurated by the prime minister, Dr. Enamur told a press briefing on Saturday. Besides, construction, renovation, and development activities of 550 Mujib Killas’ are underway in 148 coastal and flood-hit Upazilas, according to the minister. Also read: Take up fish farming as livelihood, Prime Minister tells youths

King Philippe of Belgium has said that he will consider a possible visit to Bangladesh to see the country’s impressive socio-economic development.

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

The government is going to build one relief warehouse in 500 upazilas across the country to speed up relief distribution during any natural disaster. 

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said the South Asian Regional Center of Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in Dhaka will be a milestone for international partnership.

CARE Bangladesh on Monday arranged an online workshop involving key stakeholders including the Department of Disaster Management to discuss the key takeaways from its River Bank Erosion Anticipatory Response Project in Kurigram. 

The Army, Navy and Air Force, led by the Armed Forces Division, have undertaken overall relief, rescue and medical assistance in the aftermath of super cyclone Amphan which lashed the coastal districts on late Wednesday afternoon with strong wind and heavy rains.