Author: Fahim Shahriar Pranto, Junior Consultant, Sustainedge, shahriar.sustainedgebd@gmail.com
Image: The Business Standard
Key Words: Rajshahi City, Climate Change Impacts, Climate Resilience, Heat Waves, Public Health
Introduction
Rajshahi City, a lively hub in the northwestern region of Bangladesh, plays a significant role in regional governance. It hosts educational institutions, a medical college and government offices that provide essential services to the surrounding districts. Presently, the city is undergoing a transformative phase of development, marked by numerous initiatives led by the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC). However, apart from these developments, the city also encounters with increased risks from climate change. These risks not only impact the city’s infrastructures but also extend to its social, economic and health sectors. Against this backdrop, this blog aims to explore into the impacts of climate change on Rajshahi, exploring the challenges it poses, and presenting potential solutions informed by the latest data and research.
Why Rajshahi Matters
The city’s geographical location exposes it to various climate-related hazards, including extreme weather events, rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns and water scarcity. These environmental challenges pose significant threats to the city’s infrastructure, economy, public health and overall well-being of its inhabitants.
Moreover, Rajshahi’s vulnerability to climate change is exacerbated by factors such as rapid urbanization and limited adaptive capacity. The city’s densely populated areas, coupled with inadequate drainage systems and poor waste management practices, make it particularly susceptible to flooding during monsoon seasons. Additionally, changes in precipitation patterns and temperature fluctuations can adversely affect agricultural productivity, exacerbating food insecurity and economic hardships for vulnerable communities.
Given its strategic importance and susceptibility to climate-related risks, Rajshahi serves as a poignant example of the urgent need for comprehensive climate resilience strategies and adaptation measures. By understanding and addressing the specific vulnerabilities of urban centres like Rajshahi, we can pave the way for sustainable development, enhance resilience, and safeguard the well-being of both present and future generations.
Impacts of Climate Change on Rajshahi
Global warming, a consequence of climate change, is reshaping weather patterns worldwide, Rajshahi City stands particularly vulnerable to its impacts. According to the data from Mactrotrends, the metro area population of Rajshahi will be 984,000 in 2024, marking a 2.29% increase from the previous year. The city faces an array of challenges, including extreme weather events, erratic rainfall and rising temperatures, all of which pose serious threats to public health and well-being.
A recent study by Rahman et al., 2022 indicates a steady rise in Rajshahi’s average annual temperature since 1991, with an increase of 0.015°C recorded annually. The incremental warming trend has led to a surge in the frequency and intensity of heat waves, pushing temperatures to unprecedented levels. In April 2019, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) recorded a scorching high of approximately 43.1°C (109.6°F), setting a new record for Rajshahi.
During of extreme heatwaves, temperatures range between 41°C to 42°C, with humidity ranging from 8% to 52% and Heat Index (HI) ranging from 41 to 70. Recognising the escalating risks posed by such extreme heat events, efforts are underway to establish inculpatory measures, with a threshold set at HI 41 to trigger proactive interventions. (CDKN, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, 2022)
In addition to rising temperatures, rainfall patterns in Rajshahi are undergoing significant shifts. While overall precipitation levels show a slight uptick, data suggests a concerning decline in rainfall during the critical monsoon season, upon which agriculture heavily relies. This erratic rainfall distribution threatens food security and disrupts traditional farming practices, highlighting the urgent need for adaptive measures to safeguard livelihoods and ensure sustainable agricultural practices in the face of changing climate dynamics.
Heat Impact on Daily Life
Heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent and severe in Rajshahi, with temperatures exceeding above 40°C during recent summers, as reported by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, in 2023. These extreme heat events have significant impacts on public health, productivity and infrastructure, including disruptions to power grids due to increased demand for cooling.
According to a recent study report from the CDKN, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre in 2022, certain wards in Rajshahi are particularly vulnerable to heatwaves. Wards 3, 4, 11, 14, 19, 24, 25, 28 and 30 have been identified as highly exposed areas. Among these, Ward 11 stands out due to its dense population and concentration of built-up areas.
Wards 3 and 4 are also highly exposed due to similar urban characteristics, while Wards 24, 25 and 28 face higher exposure levels due to their proximity to char land in the southern region.
Growing Water Shortage
Rajshahi is facing a critical decline in its water table, as highlighted in a 2020 assessment conducted by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE). Some areas have witnessed a decrease of over two metres in just five years. With groundwater supplying 94% of the city’s water demand, the current supply of 95 million litres per day (MLD) falls short of the required 113 MLD, resulting in an 18 MLD deficit (ICLEI South Asia, 2021). This deficit is projected to worsen, reaching 67 MLD by 2031.
The rapid depletion of groundwater levels is primarily attributed to over-extraction. Additionally, significant water loss occurs due to leaks in the distribution system, accounting for 35% of production. As a result, the average water supply per capita stands around 135 litres per capita per day), which is insufficient to meet the needs of residents. The situation exuberates during the summer months, with higher demand exacerbating water scarcity issues.
Stress on Public Health
Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are leading to a rise in heat-related illnesses, such as heat stress, as well as waterborne diseases like diarrhoea and respiratory issues brought on by dust storms.
Certain wards in Rajshahi, particularly those with limited access to healthcare services, are more vulnerable to these health impacts. This suggests that residents in these areas may face challenges in accessing necessary medical care for heat-related illnesses compared to other wards. (CDKN, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, 2022). The growing burden of climate-related health conditions is straining public health services.
Moving Forward: Potential Solutions
Community Engagement
Grassroots programs play a vital role in building resilience. Citizens can take charge through community-driven initiatives like tree planting, rainwater harvesting, and awareness campaigns.
Policy Interventions
Effective policy interventions are crucial. Long-term urban development plans focused on climate resilience, stricter water usage regulations, and incentives for sustainable building practices are imperative. The national government’s Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2022-2041 outlines a framework for climate adaptation, while the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s National Adaptation Plan (2023-2050), and ICLEI South Asia’s Climate Resilient City Action Plan for Rajshahi provide local adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Preparing for Future Challenges and Opportunities
Rajshahi City can enhance its climate resilience by investing in climate-smart agriculture, improving water management, constructing climate-resilient infrastructure, implementing early warning systems, and promoting green infrastructure. These measures can ensure food security, address water scarcity, mitigate risks from extreme weather events, and ultimately enhance air quality while reducing vulnerabilities.
Collective Actions
Achieving a climate-resilient Rajshahi requires collaboration among government entities, local communities, businesses and NGOs. The government can incentivize eco-friendly practices, invest in climate-proof infrastructure and strengthen early warning systems. Local communities can participate in tree plantation, water conservation and raising awareness programmes. Business sectors can adopt sustainable technologies and practices, while NGOs can provide support, technical expertise and advocacy. By working together, these stakeholders can create a roadmap towards a Climate-Resilient Rajshahi.
Call for Action
In conclusion, the call to action is “to take action, raise awareness and join the movement for a sustainable future”.
The challenges posed by climate change in Rajshahi City are pressing, but they are not undefeatable. By uniting together, developing innovative solutions and committing to collective action, we can pave the way for a sustainable and more resilient future for Rajshahi and beyond. Let us heed the call to action, unite our efforts and strive towards a future where sustainability, resilience and prosperity flourish for generations to come.
It’s quite informative!