Drought-like situation prevails in Rajshahi

A drought-like situation has been prevailing in the Rajshahi region including its vast Barind tract for the last couple of days posing a serious threat to the living and livelihood condition of the people, particularly the poor and marginalised ones.

The local meteorological office recorded a temperature of 17.5 degrees Celsius at 3pm on Friday saying the temperature has been rising continuously for the last couple of days.

This was the highest temperature recorded in Rajshahi this dry season, said Abdus Salam, observatory staff of Rajshahi meteorological office. They recorded the highest temperature at 36.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

Prolonged rainless conditions have created a detrimental condition in overall public health in terms of drinking water as well as ecosystem and biodiversity.

“We’ve not seen any significant rainfall in the region because of the adverse impact of climate change,” said Professor Rezaur Rahman of the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Rajshahi University (RU).

He further said global warming has been escalating gradually due to various reasons including carbon emissions resulting in climate change. There is no way but to reduce global warming.

Massive forestation can be the effective means of substantial and sustainable reduction of carbon emission, he added.

Besides, utmost importance should be given to transforming the existing irrigation system in the Barind area into a surface water-based instead of a groundwater one to mitigate the existing water-stressed condition.

Promotion of less water consuming crops can also be the best way in this regard.