Bangladesh needs a national heat action plan

Published in: The Daily Star Date: March 28, 2026

In global climate history Bangladesh’s vulnerability was recorded as facing risks from floods, cyclones, and rising sea levels. But, for the last couple of years, there is a new addition in the vulnerability trajectory – Heatwave. It seems more obvious, when the country saw 24 days of heatwaves in April 2024 breaking the previous record of 23 days in 2019. Temperature in Jessore was recorded at 43.8°C which is highest in last 52 years. Heat is our fastest growing concern, yet it the most under-addressed national emergency.

Now, we are no longer facing unusual summers. Rather this can be viewed as a systematic climatic shift. According to the World Bank’s report “An Unsustainable Life: The Impact of Heat on Health and the Economy of Bangladesh”, the actual temperature has risen by 1.1°C since 1980. However, the feels like temperature which is eventually the true measure of human suffering, rose by 4.5°C. Streets of Dhaka starts feeling like open furnaces. With urban heat island effect the capital city’s heat index is 65% higher than the national average. We often believe that the consequences may be meteorological. But they have deep economic and personal impact. In 2024 alone, Bangladesh lost 250 million workdays to heat-related illnesses, bleeding $1.78 billion from our GDP. For the rickshaw puller in Dhaka, farmer in Rajshahi or the garment worker in Gazipur, staying indoors is not merely an option. For them, it is a choice between heatstroke and hunger.

The most alarming consequences is the hidden toll on people’s health. The rate of respiratory and waterborne diseases is doubled in recent summers. Beyond that, new horizon is emerged- mental health crisis. Studies reported about struggling with depression during extreme heat periods is increasing among all ages of people. Moreover, women are particularly more vulnerable. They are 77% higher likelihood of heat exhaustion as they cook and most of the kitchens are poorly ventilated which trap the burners’ heat as well as sun’s fury.

Despite this, the country lacks a comprehensive National Heat Action Plan (NHAP). When the mercury rises, the bare minimum decision taken is shut down the class rooms. This even bestow upon without having proper plan for how the education system will be continued during this time. The hospitals struggle to manage heatstroke season without dedicated cooling wards.

A National Heat Action Plan is not a luxury, rather it is a survival strategy. The below mentioned components should be incorporated and put in the design of the plan in a manner that yield a better coordinated mechanism, which the country always lacks.

There should be a localized early warning system which will enable real-time heat alerts (before 48 hours) that reach the most vulnerable via mobile (call or SMS alert) and community radio.
GIS based vulnerability mapping to identify hotspots and high-risk groups to prioritize water tankers, needs to be ensured.
Urban redesign is another issue which may take time, yet some measures like cooling shed, the restoration of urban water bodies, and the expansion of rapid growing green canopies in the most heat experienced zones could be implemented.
One of the most import issue during this event is labor protection. Legally mandated heat breaks, hydration stations for outdoor workers, and social safety nets to cover lost income could be acted upon immediately.
Mandatory Cool Roof regulations for all new factories, high-rises and even for residential building should be in the respective authorities’ guidelines.
For behavioral change communication on hydration, symptoms, and cooling, ads in local dialects in channels and posters in marketplaces and mosques could be circulated.
Specialized training needs to be addressed for healthcare providers to treat heat-related trauma and mental health issues. Besides, dedicated cooling wards for heat related patients is also a crying need.

According to research, India is successful by developing and implementing such plan as their Ahmedabad model reduced heat-related mortality by 88%. We have somehow mastered the art of surviving the water (cyclone, floods etc.). Now it is time to learn surviving the sun. Cause the mercury is rising, and our window for action is melting away.