Day: April 21, 2024

Soaring heat wave will have adverse impacts not only on people's life, it will disturb the balance of nature affecting the overall food production by putting aquatic species and livestock in danger. Climate scientists said heat wave-induced complexities among humans are always being taken into the account, but its impacts on aquatic species and livestock are not considered properly. Heat wave contributes to decline of dissolved oxygen in water-bodies, they said, adding that farm animals also get sick frequently cutting the farm output. Severe heat wave has been sweeping over many parts of country for the last few days. The temperature soared to 42.6 degrees Celsius yesterday (Saturday) in Jashore, while the maximum temperature in Dhaka was 40.4 degrees Celsius. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) warned that there was no end in sight for the heat. According to the BMD, very severe heat wave is sweeping over Pabna, Jashore and Chuadanga districts. Severe heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka and Khul na divisions and the district of Rajshahi too. Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Barishal division and parts of Rajshahi divisions and Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Feni, Cox's Bazar, Chandpur and Rangamati and it may continue over the next three days. Scientists have said climate change is contributing to more frequent, severe, and longer heat waves in Bangladesh during its summer months. 'Apart from causing heat stokes due to exposure to heat wave, germs like bacteria and viruses can spread amid extreme heat affecting humans. The cases of pneumonia and influenza may increase in the country due to high temperature,' Dr Mohan Kumar Das, climate scientist at Bangkok-based Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), told BSS. He said although heat wave-induced complexities among humans are always being taken into the account, its impacts on livestock are not considered properly. Citing findings of a study, Dr Mohan said heat wave severely hits the livestock sect or, contributing to the decline of milk production and making cattle ill. As water bodies and greenery coverage have been declining in the country, the heat in summer months are increasing, he said, adding that heat wave also contributes to the decline of dissolved oxygen in water, affecting aquatic species. 'People dwelling in city heat islands are feeling more heat, so they should remain careful and drink enough water to avoid heat stokes,' said Dr Md Iqbal Kabir, director at Climate Change and Health Promotion Unit under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Predicting that the heat wave may delay rainfall in upcoming monsoon affecting agriculture, he said fever and water-borne diseases like diarrhea, hepatitis and typhoid may spread due to heat wave. Heat wave hits food production Just like heat waves make life difficult, especially in cities, agricultural lands suffer heavily from rising temperatures. Heat wave endangers nature's ability to produce food, according to experts. In 2021, heat sho ck ruined 21,000 hectares (52,000 acres) of rice crops across Bangladesh. The burning temperature even causes flowers of mangos and lichi to dry out and wilt. 'The production of mangos and lichi are going to be affected by heat wave. Famers have already understood this,' Dr Mohan said. The World Bank in 2021 estimated that heat waves can lead to a 10-15 percent decrease in rice yields, a staple crop for the nation. This not only impacts food security but also disrupts the entire agricultural value chain, affecting farmers' income and food processing and transportation. A study of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) shows reduced crop yields due to heat-stress on plants and increased water demand for irrigation, compounded by dry spells. Bangladesh has been severely affected by extreme heat wave. Extreme climate events, particularly heat wave, impacts on the food system, pose risks to human health in Bangladesh, explicitly in the north-west part of the country, says a new research published in a journal Science Direct in January 2024. Education being impacted Due to the ongoing heat wave, the government has already decided to close primary and secondary schools for seven days, from Apr 21 to Apr 27, as the heat wave cooks the country. Classes will remain closed in colleges across the country affiliated to the National University until further notice. However, no decision has been taken yet from the public universities. Falling in poverty due to their livelihood loss due to extreme weather events, parents stop their children going schools and force girls to marry off to ease their family burden and boys to get involved in child labour to support their families, said Dr Golam Rabbani, head of Climate Bridge Fund Secretariat at BRAC. He said as part of a study, consultations were held with school teachers in Rajshahi and Khulna and they informed that many of the students, especially girls, did not attend classes due to heat wave during pre-monsoon (March-April-May) and the trend of absence is on the rise as the hot days are increasing. A 2021 report by the World Bank said Bangladesh regularly experiences some of the highest maximum temperatures in Asia, with an average monthly maximum of around 30 degrees Celsius and an average April maximum of 33 degrees Celsius. 'Bangladesh will experience emerging hot and humid seasons, in which the Heat Index surpasses 35 degrees Celsius,' the report said. Over the past 44 years, the average temperature in Bangladesh has risen by 0.5 degrees Celsius, the World Bank said in its 'Climate Afflictions' report. By 2050, that average will rise by 1.4 degrees Celsius. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

The four-day UN Climate Adaptation Conference titled 'National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Expo 2024' will begin at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here tomorrow. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the conference tomorrow morning, while Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will be present on the occasion. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today revealed the information at a press conference at BICC. He said 383 representatives from 104 countries have registered with UNFCCC to participate in NAP Expo 2024. Besides, he said, 550 people, including representatives of various ministries, departments and organisations of the country, climate experts, representatives of NGOs and volunteers will participate in the adaptation meet. By participating in this conference, everyone will be mutually benefited from various issues related to the adaptation activities of different countries to be presented, the environment minister said. Saber Chowdhury said the NAP Expo is an international forum where various countries, organisations and other relevant stakeholders interact and exchange experiences in the formulation and implementation of NAP. The expo will also have training sessions to address gaps and needs related to the process of NAP formulation and implementation in developing countries, he said, adding that Bangladesh would host various sessions at the expo. The minister said there will be a total of 23 stalls in this conference where adaptation activities of different countries will be displayed. Also, he said, at 34 sessions over four days, experts will discuss transformational adaptation, financial mechanism, adaptation activity monitoring and evaluation tools and gender responsive adaptation. He said 13 stalls allocated for Bangladesh will showcase climate adaptation issues. 'We can also gain experience from the orientation activities displayed at foreign stalls. Various ministri es and local and foreign organisations will participate in the expo to display their climate adaptation activities,' Saber Hossain said. Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed were, among others, present at the press conference. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

A court here today placed three officials of Transcom Group on three-day remand each in two separate cases of money embezzlement, occupying property and handing over company shares illegally. The three remanded officials are-Transcom Group director of corporate finance Abdullah Al Mamun, manager Abu Yusuf Md Siddik, and assistant company secretary Mohammed Mossadeq. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Rashidul Alam passed the order, cancelling bail of the three accused. Investigation officer Inspector Md Kamal Hossain of Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) earlier in the day pleaded to place Abdullah Al Mamun on 10-day remand in the case filed with Gulshan Police Station, while he pleaded to place the other two accused on seven-day remand in another case filed with the same police station. After hearing both the pleas, the court placed the three accused on three-day remand each. Shahzreh Huq, daughter of the late chairman and founder of Transcom Group, Latifur Rahman, filed three separate cases with capit al's Gulshan Police Station on February 21. Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) later arrested the five accused in the three cases. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Rajshahi University (RU) has taken a decision to continue its activities, including classes and examinations, as usual until April 30. The decision was taken in an emergency meeting today at the conference hall of the administration building with Vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar in the chair. Pro-VCs Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam and Prof Humayun Kabir, Registrar Prof Tariqul Hassan, faculty deans, director of the institutes and other administrative officials attended the meeting. The meeting unanimously decided that all the administrative activities, including classes and examinations, will continue as usual till April 30. But if necessary, the departments can take their classes online in purview of the countrywide heatwave. On May 2, the scheduled examinations and offices will also be held as usual. However, the classes will remain suspended. The meeting sources said the university will go on a weeklong summer vacation until May 9. Due to sultry weather, the varsity authority will conduct awarene ss programme urging its people to ensure safe food and maintain health rules and hygiene. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Speakers at a workshop here today underlined the need for formulating a work plan for national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines keeping parity with the contemporary tech-based global systems. This was stressed at a training workshop on sustainable development goals of the country's civil aviation and tourism sector held at the Biman's Bangladesh Airlines Training Center (BATC) in the capital, a press release said. Civil aviation and tourism secretary Md. Mokammel Hossain conducted the workshop while Biman Managing Director and CEO Shafiul Azim, its Director (customer service) Md. Motiul Islam Chowdhury and other officials were present, among others. Later, Mokammel visited BATC's different sections and gave direction to the authority for transforming the facility as a full-fledged aviation academy. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha