Exposure to extreme heat can lead to heat stroke and dehydration, as well as cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular disease.[3][4] Excessive heat is more likely to affect populations in northern latitudes where people are less prepared to cope with excessive temperatures. Certain types of populations are more vulnerable than others: for example, outdoor workers, student athletes, and homeless people tend to be more exposed to extreme heat because they spend more time outdoors. Low-income households and older adults may lack access to air conditioning which also increases exposure to extreme heat. Additionally, young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions are less able to regulate their body temperature and can therefore be more vulnerable to extreme heat.
Urban areas are typically warmer than their rural surroundings. Large metropolitan areas such as St. Louis, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Cincinnati have seen notable increases in death rates during heat waves. Climate change is projected to increase the vulnerability of urban populations to heat-related health impacts in the future. Heat waves are also often accompanied by periods of stagnant air, leading to increases in air pollution and associated health effects.
Bangladesh’s NC3 reports average, daily maximum, and daily minimum temperature rises of 0.16⁰C, 0.2⁰C, and 0.12⁰C per decade respectively over the period 1977-2008.
An average temperature rise of 1.03⁰C in Dhaka was observed since 1900. Observations indicate that the temperature rise was strongest in the monsoon season (June-August).
Temperature pattern of Bangladesh
Bangladesh has a humid, warm climate influenced by pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon circulations and frequently experiences heavy precipitation and tropical cyclones. Bangladesh’s historical climate has experienced average temperatures around 26⁰C, but range between 15⁰C and 34⁰C throughout the year. The warmest months coincide with the rainy season (April-September), while the winter season (December-February) is colder and drier. Bangladesh is a very wet country, receiving on average about 2,200 millimeters (mm) of rainfall per year. Most regions receive at least 1,500 mm and others, such as in the northeastern border regions, receive as much as 5,000 mm of rainfall per year. Humidity remains high throughout the year, peaking during the monsoon season (June to October). Rainfall is driven by the Southwest monsoon, which originates over the Indian Ocean and carries warm, moist, and unstable air. Typically, a tropical cyclone (of strength classification Tropical Storm or above) will make landfall in Bangladesh once in every two to three years bringing heavy rainfall, very high wind speeds, and storm surges.
