Across Bangladesh, the weather now feels more like living inside an invisible furnace and less like a seasonal summer.
Mornings quickly turn oppressive, afternoons become difficult to endure, and even after sunset, relief remains elusive. The growing question among citizens and experts alike is simple: why is this year’s heat so unbearable?
Climate observers and urban analysts say the current heat stress is not driven by a single factor, but by a combination of interlinked causes.
These include high humidity, heat retention from concrete and asphalt surfaces, weak wind circulation, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, and the rapid loss of green spaces and water bodies due to unplanned urbanisation.
Added to this are irregular monsoon patterns and long-term global climate change, all intensifying both daytime and night-time temperatures.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, recent weeks have seen maximum temperatures mostly ranging between 35°C and 37°C. Yet in many urban areas, the “feels-like” temperature has surged to 42°C–47°C due to humidity and trapped heat.
Environmental scientist Atiq Rahman describes the situation starkly: “Cities are now facing a heat crisis.”
Global warming pushes extremes
Experts emphasise that the current heatwave cannot be viewed as a purely seasonal event.
The Sixth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) notes that global temperatures rose by 1.09°C between 2011 and 2020 compared to pre-industrial levels, largely due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has also confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with 2025 also ranking among the warmest.
Scientists warn that climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, more intense and longer-lasting globally, with Bangladesh highly vulnerable to these shifts.
Dhaka’s urban form intensifying the heat
Urban planner Adil Muhammad Khan told TIMES of Bangladesh that Dhaka’s worsening heat is strongly linked to unplanned urbanisation alongside global warming.
“Concrete and asphalt surfaces absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night. At the same time, dense construction blocks air flow, preventing cooling. As a result, heat accumulates from one day to the next,” he said.
A 2024 study published in Urban Climate found that Dhaka’s temperature has risen by an average of 0.21°C per decade between 1999 and 2023. The study also highlighted that when heatwaves combine with the Urban Heat Island effect, night-time temperatures remain abnormally high, increasing health risks.
Green spaces shrinking, heat rising
Research by Professor Ashraf M Dewan shows that between 1989 and 2020, Dhaka’s built-up area more than doubled, replacing agricultural land, open spaces and wetlands.
Multiple studies, including those by the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and the World Bank, show that the loss of canals, ponds and wetlands has weakened the city’s natural cooling system. Concrete-covered areas can be 4°C to 8°C hotter than green spaces, significantly intensifying local heat stress.
Humidity and human activity worsening discomfort
Meteorological data shows Dhaka’s humidity typically ranges between 65% and 85% during the monsoon season, often rising to 90% at night. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that high humidity combined with high temperatures significantly increases the risk of heatstroke, dehydration and cardiovascular stress.
Experts also point to “anthropogenic heat” generated by vehicles, industries, generators and air conditioners as a growing contributor. With more than 20 lakh registered vehicles in Dhaka, according to BRTA, cities struggle to cool down even during the night.
A warning for the future and the way forward
Atiq Rahman cautions that heatwaves are no longer just environmental events but emerging public health and economic threats.
“If current trends continue, Dhaka will experience even more intense and prolonged heatwaves in the coming decade,” he said.
Experts stress that mitigation must go beyond infrastructure expansion. Urban planning must prioritise heat resilience through green corridors, urban forests, cool roofs, reflective building materials, and strict protection of water bodies and wetlands.
Without such measures, they warn, Dhaka’s heat stress will continue to intensify, making the city increasingly difficult to live in during peak summer months.
