Mongla, nestled in Bagerhat, finds itself in the throes of a severe heatwave, mirroring the scorching conditions prevailing across Bangladesh. Meteorological forecasts indicate a potential rise in temperature by a few degrees, with no respite in sight as rain remains absent from the forecast for the next week.
At 1 pm on Saturday, Mongla recorded a blistering maximum temperature of 41°C, plunging residents into exhaustion and discomfort. The relentless heat has disrupted daily life, particularly impacting the working population.
Individuals like Akkas Ali, a seasoned worker at Mongla port, express astonishment at the unprecedented heatwave, making it nearly impossible to navigate the streets or find respite indoors. For workers like Akram Hossain, the heat poses challenges both on land and at sea, making work conditions unbearable.
Sohrab Hossain, a day laborer, describes life in Mongla as increasingly unbearable, with the sweltering heat making even basic activities like breathing difficult. Similarly, businessman Jahangir Alam recounts the challenges of conducting business in such extreme conditions, with both river water and air temperatures soaring.
Van driver Mamun Sheikh highlights the economic pressures forcing him to work despite the heat, underscoring the urgent need for relief in the form of cooling rain showers.
Harun Or Rashid, overseeing the Mongla Meteorological Office, delivers sobering news, indicating no immediate relief from the heatwave. With no rain in the forecast for the upcoming week, residents brace themselves for further escalation in temperatures, amplifying their plight in the relentless heat.
