Chuadanga Women
The global efforts to combat the climate crisis are in danger due to insufficient emission reduction targets. Comprehensive policies are also lacking, adding pressure on developing countries to adapt to climate change. The primary reason behind this is that the impacts of climate change are not distributed equally across the world. While the developed countries build their industries in poorer countries and dump their garbage onto them, the poorer countries become more prone to vulnerabilities and risks. According to Dr Shoba Suri, low-income populations, which often lack access to resources and clean water, are more likely to be affected by waterborne diseases, which are likely to become more common as temperatures increase. Furthermore, coastal regions where sea-level rises and storm surges are present can cause flooding, erosion, and saltwater infiltration, which can have a negative impact on livelihoods and lead to displacement. (“Fair Vermeiden,” 2023)
Bangladesh is geographically exposed to a multitude of adverse impacts of climate change, because of its location in the tropics, in the delta of three of the world’s biggest rivers, and its flat low-lying deltaic topography. Predicted climate change will create barriers to future poverty reduction and reverse many of the important socioeconomic gains made by developing countries Hossain et al. (2011). Back in May 2024 a renowned newspaper ‘The Daily Star’ published a report titled, “Year's highest temperature of 43°C recorded in Chuadanga” describing the extreme heatwave sweeping over the country and that the southern part of Bangladesh has been suffering most from it. According to ‘The Bussiness Standard,’ Mamun (2024), Meteorological experts attribute the extreme heat to the district's geographical location. Hot air from India's Madhya Pradesh enters Bangladesh through this region, gradually cooling as it spreads eastward. As a result, Chuadanga bears the initial brunt of the heatwave. As the elderly, women, and children suffer most from the heatwave, a discussion among school-going children’s parents has brought up several issues they are going through due to the climate crisis.
They discussed significant environmental changes in their region, particularly regarding the shifting weather patterns impacting agricultural activities. They highlighted the adverse effects of unexpected heat, lack of rainfall, and hailstorms on crop yields, leading to financial losses and food scarcity. Additionally, they mentioned the rise in heat-related illnesses among the population and livestock. Comparing the current situation to ten years ago, they emphasized the noticeable decline in regular rainfall and the adverse impact on agricultural productivity and public health.
The parents described the changing environment of their location, highlighting the unexpected high temperatures during the rainy season. These extreme weather conditions led to the destruction of crops and posed difficulties in carrying out daily activities. The drought has significantly affected agriculture, leading to decreased crop yields, loss of livestock, and increased financial strain on farmers. The lack of rain has had a significant impact on the local area. The extreme weather conditions have led to the destruction of crops and made it difficult to carry out daily activities. They water their crops from pump machines, but that is not enough for the crops. They evaporate quickly, leaving the crops dry. They mentioned that the situation was good here back in their days. It used to rain in the third month of the Bengali year. Canals and ponds were filled with water. They could not move easily due to the rain and mud. Which has completely changed now, they claimed.
“Currently it is Ashar mas, the third month of the Bengali year. This is the rainy season now. Instead, there is extreme heat and no sign of rain. The crops in our field are ruined. They cannot sustain themselves without water. Due to the heatwave, they are burnt before growing.”
“Ten years ago, it used to rain on the Ashar (the third month of the Bangla calendar), and everything used to happen accordingly. And now it doesn’t happen. Now, this month is like Choito mas (the 12th month of the Bangla calendar). Previously, we had a large harvest from the paddy field. But now, because of extremely warm weather, we can’t bring them home. They get ruined in the field before that.”
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The situation in Chuadanga is concerning due to the negative impacts of the changing environment. There has been an increase in diseases, including frequent occurrences of fever, diarrhoea, and illness among both humans and animals. This has raised significant health concerns and requires urgent attention to address the issues and mitigate the impact on the community. Due to the lack of rain, the amount of mango harvest is less, and their smaller in size too.
“People in our locality are getting sick due to excessive heat. Kids are suffering from diarrhoea frequently. And fever too. It is taking a long time to recover from that fever. They had to miss school quite often. The temperature has now really increased. We in fact, don’t send them to school regularly now.”
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“Recently, a few days prior, three cows died because of the heatwave in one household. Then, as there is no rain, a dry environment, and drought, cultivating is hard. The cattle died for not getting enough food on the field. Again, for rain and wind. The banana trees and seedlings died. This is the situation right now. People can’t be outside for long. They are suffering from fever. For 10 days, 20 days, they won’t recover from that fever.”
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Many people have expressed concerns about the lack of electricity during the night. This issue contributes to increased health problems and discomfort, especially among children and mothers.
“Then there is no electricity at night, we can’t sleep properly. During the daytime, it is somewhat tolerable. But the lack of sleep at night and temperature fluctuation makes us sick.”
“After waking up in the morning, I feel excessive pain in my body, as if it would be better to lie down or not get up. We sleep at night but can’t get up in the morning for pain. Then sometimes there is a fever. Sometimes we even don’t know if we have a fever or not but we suffer from fever blisters inside our mouth.”
During the discussion, the majority of women agreed to have migraine due to the excessive heat. They portrayed their concern regarding the unbearable pain and having to do household chores through it.
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“I have been experiencing intense headaches on one side of my head, and I recently learned that this could be a symptom of a condition called migraine. Previously, I had not been aware of this condition. I have also noticed that I am sensitive to sun and heat, as high temperatures seem to exacerbate my headaches.”
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The Director of Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sun, 2024), stated that the scorching heat persists, disrupting lives nationwide. Marginalized communities, especially farmers, farmhands, rickshaw pullers, van salesmen, and traffic police, are toiling most under the sun. Vulnerable groups like children and the elderly are particularly at risk, facing serious dangers from heat-related illnesses and dehydration. The situation is grave, especially for those already grappling with daily hardships. The extreme heatwave, lack of rainfall, and shifting weather patterns have led to significant challenges for agricultural activities, resulting in financial losses and food scarcity. Moreover, the rise in heat-related illnesses among the population and livestock has raised significant health concerns, leading Chuadanga to become a highly vulnerable place to exits.