Scorching heat paralyses life in Rajshahi

A sprinkle of water brings relief: Thirsty and weary crows seek refuge from scorching heat in a pond in Rajshahi yesterday.Photo: Azhar Uddin

The mercury rose to 35.8 degree Celsius yesterday, and may touch 40 degree Celsius by the weekend if there is no rain, the weather office here said.

Usually, the average temperature during May hovers over 33 degree Celsius in Rajsahahi, rising up to 39.8 degree Celsius between May 10 and 13, officials said.

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"Life in the city is unbearable due to heat, compounded by frequent power outage, water crisis and mosquito bite", remarked Yakub Ali Khan, a dweller at Baliapukur.

Rajshahi University Environmental Science Institute Director Prof Sorwar Jahan said studies revealed that the heat wave is due to declining water levels of rivers and depleting forests.

"A 100-gram river water can absorb 576 kilo calorie latent heat, but these days vast shoals of the Padma along the town reflect more sunbeams than the limited water bodies can absorb", he said.

"Scorching heat is not unusual here as Rajshahi is an area with average annual rainfall 40 percent less than the country's total rainfall", said RU Geology Department teacher Prof Dr Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan. This points to the gradual desertification due to withdrawal of water at Farakka, he said.

The heat wave is causing diseases, said Dr Shawkat Ali of Chapainawabganj Hospital.

"Sunstroke is common in such a situation", he said.

Over 300 people including children have so far been admitted to hospitals with fever, mainly caused by the sweltering heat, sources at hospitals said.

"Our city has become an inferno," said a rickshawpuller Serajuddin. "Rivers, lakes and wells have all dried up."

According to Internet weather channels, another feature of the heat wave is high solar radiation. "You may feel like 40 degree Celsius when it is 35 or 37", explained Rajshahi University teacher Chowdhury Sarwar.

The heat is so intense that many city roads including the airport road melted at many points. Most of the streets wear a deserted look at noon.

To add to the woes of rural poor, Power Development Board has imposed unscheduled power cuts in rural areas.

It has however become a boon for a few, who are doing brisk business by selling green coconut, water melon, butter milk and sugarcane juice with ice flakes under shades on roadsides.