EXTREME heat is rapidly becoming one of Bangladesh’s most serious but least acknowledged climate threats. In April 2024, temperatures in parts of the country crossed 42°C during one of the longest and most intense heatwaves on record, forcing school closures and disrupting daily life on a wide scale. The event made clear that extreme heat is no longer an occasional seasonal disruption but a structural climate risk affecting health, livelihoods, productivity and infrastructure. As temperatures rise and heatwaves become more frequent, Bangladesh’s preparedness remains far behind the pace of the threat.
Over the past few years, heatwaves have shifted from rare weather events to a recurring national condition. Each summer brings longer periods of extreme heat, affecting millions across both urban and rural areas. Yet policy attention remains limited compared to floods and cyclones, which are more visible and immediate in their impact. Heat, by contrast, develops silently, but its cumulative effects are no less damaging.
The impacts are most visible among those who cannot escape outdoor labour. Construction workers, farmers, rickshaw pullers, street vendors and traffic police are routinely exposed to extreme temperatures with little protection. Reports during recent heatwaves documented workers collapsing from heat stress in cities including Dhaka and Rajshahi. Children are also increasingly affected, as heat reduces concentration, increases dehydration risk and makes classrooms difficult environments during peak temperatures.
The public health burden is growing alongside these exposures. Hospitals report rising admissions for dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke during heatwave periods. Heat stroke, in particular, is a medical emergency that can cause organ failure and death if not treated quickly. Older people, children, pregnant women and those with pre-existing conditions are most at risk. International health assessments also link extreme heat to increased cardiovascular and respiratory complications, adding pressure to already stretched health systems. Yet heat-related illness remains only weakly integrated into national health planning.
The economic consequences are equally significant. Heat stress reduces productivity across agriculture, construction and transport — sectors that form the backbone of Bangladesh’s labour force. The International Labour Organisation has warned that rising temperatures could cost millions of working hours across South Asia, with Bangladesh among the most affected due to its reliance on outdoor labour. At the same time, electricity demand spikes during heatwaves as cooling needs rise, placing additional strain on the national grid. Heat, therefore, is not only a health issue but also an economic and infrastructure challenge.
A core problem is perception. Unlike cyclones or floods, extreme heat rarely produces dramatic, visible destruction. As a result, it is often treated as discomfort rather than danger. Policy responses tend to remain reactive — school closures, emergency advisories, temporary schedule adjustments — rather than forming part of a long-term prevention strategy. This reactive approach is no longer sufficient.
Bangladesh needs a structured National Heat Preparedness Plan that treats extreme heat as a cross-sectoral risk involving health, labour, urban planning and disaster management.
A first priority is a national heat early warning system. Weather forecasts must be converted into clear, actionable alerts delivered through SMS, mobile platforms, television, radio and local government networks. A standardised, colour-coded heat warning system integrated into existing disaster protocols would help communicate risk more effectively, especially to vulnerable communities with limited digital access.
Second, worker protection must become a central policy focus. Outdoor workers need shaded rest areas, reliable access to drinking water and flexible working hours during extreme heat. Regular hydration breaks, workplace water stations and awareness campaigns can significantly reduce heat-related illness. Simple preventive measures such as ensuring water access before thirst develops can save lives while maintaining productivity.
Third, the health system must be better prepared for heat emergencies. Hospitals require clear protocols for managing heat-related illness and healthcare workers need training to recognise symptoms early. Public awareness campaigns should explain warning signs such as dizziness, confusion and loss of consciousness, along with immediate first-aid responses. Rapid cooling and timely intervention can be lifesaving before hospital admission.
Fourth, urban planning must integrate heat resilience. Rapid urbanisation has replaced natural cooling systems with heat-absorbing concrete, intensifying urban temperatures. Research shows that Dhaka experiences a strong urban heat island effect, where built-up areas are significantly hotter than surrounding regions. One of the most cost-effective mitigation measures is reflective roofing, including white or solar-reflective coatings that reduce heat absorption and improve indoor comfort.
In Bangladesh, such solutions can be scaled through municipal pilot projects in high-density low-income areas in cities like Dhaka, Khulna and Rajshahi. Incentives or subsidies for reflective rooftops in homes, schools and public buildings could offer immediate relief. Over time, incorporating heat-resilient materials into building codes would ensure long-term adaptation.
Urban cooling must also address a growing feedback loop. Widespread air conditioner use provides indoor relief but increases outdoor temperatures by releasing waste heat. This deepens urban heating in densely populated areas, creating a cycle of rising temperatures and rising energy demand. Breaking this cycle requires a broader strategy: expanding green spaces, improving insulation and promoting passive cooling designs alongside energy-efficient technologies.
Educational institutions must also be included in heat planning. Adjusted school schedules, improved ventilation and access to drinking water are essential during heatwaves. Children are among the most vulnerable groups and school safety protocols must reflect that reality.
Finally, Bangladesh needs systematic heat data collection. Without reliable data, responses remain fragmented and reactive. A national monitoring framework would allow authorities to identify high-risk areas, track trends and design targeted interventions.
Bangladesh has made progress in cyclone and flood management, but extreme heat now demands equal urgency. It is a slow-onset hazard, but its cumulative impact is already visible across health, labour and urban systems. Treating it as a secondary concern risks deepening future losses.
Extreme heat is no longer a distant warning; it is an active and intensifying reality. Addressing it will require coordination across institutions, sustained investment and a shift in perception from inconvenience to risk. A national heat preparedness strategy is no longer optional. It is a necessary step toward protecting lives, livelihoods and the country’s long-term resilience.
Shadman Forhad Saba is currently pursuing higher education at City University of New York.