At least 15 people died from heatstroke in 14 days till Sunday (May 05, 2024).The Health Emergency Operation Center and Control Room (HEOC & CR) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) confirmed the deaths. The DGHS reported the fatalities from the information it received at its control room till Sunday.Besides, one person died and three people suffered injuries due to heatstroke across the country in the past 24 hours till Monday morning. ‘Very severe heat wave’ grips 7 districts, says BMDThe DGHS started recording heatstroke related deaths from April 22.A mild to very severe heat wave swept through the country for about a month staring from first week of April. Later the temperature started to fall across the country after rains in the first week of the current month.The heat wave also forced the government to shut the primary and secondary schools, colleges and madrashas till May 2.Strategies for Cooling Your Roof During Intense Summer Heat

A prolonged heatwave has significantly increased patient admissions in hospitals throughout Dhaka, with the city's medical facilities struggling to cope with the additional burden.  Most admissions involve heatstroke, fever, cold, diarrhoea, and pneumonia, ailments that disproportionately affect children. Patients and their families face severe heat within hospital premises as well, worsening conditions for those already suffering. Many hospitals, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), have reported a surge in cases since Eid, with no space left even on the floors, forcing many to resort to makeshift solutions like hand fans or small table fans. Abul Malek, from Dhaka’s Nodda area, was admitted at DMCH. His son Nadim told UNB, "The heat is unbearable, and the lack of available beds has left my father to receive treatment on the floor. The situation would have been somewhat manageable with lower temperatures." Severe heatwave in Khulna: Day labourers forced to work in dangerous conditions In response to the dire situation, Brigadier General Md. Asaduzzaman, Director of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, emphasized their efforts to improve conditions. "We're swapping out all malfunctioning fans and adding new ones wherever possible. Additionally, technicians have been instructed to ensure separate lines for fans and lights to prevent electrical issues." Patient admissions have reportedly doubled at Kurmitola General Hospital, Mugda Medical College and Hospital and Dhaka Shishu Hospital as well since Eid. The majority of these patients are suffering from diarrhoea and pneumonia. The emergency and outpatient medicine departments are under the most pressure, facing the highest patient load. Professor Dr. Farid Ahmed, Head of General Pediatrics at Dhaka Shishu Hospital, highlighted the impact of the heatwave on young patients: "With the heat continuing, children are particularly vulnerable to heatstroke and other diseases, which have led to an alarming rate of hospital admissions. We are struggling to provide enough beds." Public health expert and former director of Disease Control at Directorate General of Health Services, Professor Dr. Be-Nazir Ahmed, stressed the severity of the situation, noting, "The current heatwave is unbearable. It not only raises the risk of cholera but also heightens the likelihood of other diseases. Extreme temperatures disrupt normal bodily functions, posing life-threatening risks and increasing susceptibility to various infections." Fear of fruit failure grips mango growers in Chapainawabganj as heatwave Intensifies The authorities have urged the public to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and avoid direct exposure to extreme temperatures. With schools reopening, there is an increased concern for children's safety, necessitating heightened awareness and preventive measures against foodborne diseases and dehydration. This crisis underscores the pressing need for improved infrastructure and preparedness to handle climate-induced health emergencies, particularly for the most vulnerable populations such as children.

Eleven people died from heatstroke, and many more were hospitalized after attending an awards event in India's Maharashtra state on Sunday (April 17, 2023). The government-sponsored event lasted several hours and was held in an open field under the scorching sun, reports BBC. Thousands of people attended the event to honor a notable social activist, it said. Following the event, several attendees complained of dehydration and other heat-related problems. Read more: Heat Stroke Prevention: Best foods, drinks to avoid heat exhaustion On Sunday, the highest temperature in Navi Mumbai, a city near Mumbai's financial hub, reached 38 degrees Celsius. Health experts have recommended that people stay out of the sun from 11 am to 4 pm, especially during April, which is one of the hottest months in India. Photos from the event showed thousands of people sitting straight in the sun, with no canopy or covering to provide shade. Officials told the media that refreshments were served at the location throughout the day, and booths were set up to offer people medical treatment, but opposition parties said the event was mismanaged and that it should not have been hosted at this time of year, the report said. The event was held on the grounds of the Kharghar International Corporate Park to honor social worker Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari, also known as Appasaheb Dharmadhikari. Read More: Heat Stroke: Symptoms, First Aid, and Prevention The incident was described as "unexpected and painful" by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who awarded Rs 5 lakh in compensation to the relatives of each of the deceased. He stated that the government will offer free medical treatment to anyone who became ill during the event.

Amid mad rush of homebound people ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, five people died in stampede and heatstroke at Banglabazar ferry terminal on Wednesday. Banglabazar Traffic Police Inspector Ashikur Rahman said a teenage boy was killed in a stampede while getting off Shah Paran ferry. The deceased was identified as Anchur,15, son of Giasuddin Madbor of Noria upazila of Shariatpur. Also read: Covid-19 claims 40 more lives, infects 1,144 others Four others died due to heatstroke and stampede while boarding off Enayetpuri ferry at the same terminal, he said. Sources said that lakhs of people have crossed the Padma River on ferries since morning. All the 17 ferries are operating to cater to the mad rush of homebound people. Some 800 vehicles and 10,000 people have crossed the river till Wednesday noon, officials said. Also read: BGB deployed on Paturia-Daulatdia, Shimulia-Banglabazar routes Authorities, meanwhile, claimed that people will not face any difficulties in crossing rivers as ferry services are available. The UNB correspondent found hundreds of people reaching the Daulatdia-Paturia ghat in the afternoon on foot, in rickshaws and other vehicles, defying all the lockdown norms. Police have installed a number of check-posts on the highway, including Barbaria, Singair and Dhalla areas. Though the cops forced many vehicles coming from other districts to return, passengers were quick to get off the vehicles and head towards the ferry ghat on foot. Also read: Mad rush of homebound people at Paturia terminal Ferry services on Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar routes were suspended to curb the spread of Covid-19. Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) said the decision to suspend ferry services on the two busy water routes, with effect from Saturday morning, was taken in the wake of the ongoing second wave of coronavirus. But the mad rush of homebound people forced them to resume the ferry services.