The heat wave that Bangladesh has been experiencing since the first week of April is affecting crops, seasonal fruits and fish farming in the country. 

Amid extreme heats, farmers need to irrigate more to save their crops, pushing up their production costs.

According to official statistics, the country has experienced heat waves for 17 days in the last three weeks.

The production of crops, seasonal fruits and fishes is severely being hit by this extreme weather condition, posing a threat to food security, agri experts said.

Mohan Kumar Das, an agro-meteorologist of Agro-Meteorological Information Systems Development Project under the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), told the Daily Sun that the extreme heat wave has significantly been affecting crops and seasonal fruits.

The extended heat waves may affect some late varieties of Boro paddy, mango, litchi and other seasonal crops, he added.

A severe heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia and a mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka, Rangpur and Barishal divisions, rest part of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and the district of Moulvibazar and it may continue, according to Met office.

Due to extreme heats, the soil is getting drier, creating cracks on litchis and mangoes, said farmers.

Shamsul Alam, an orchard owner at Ghatail in Tangail, told the Daily Sun that mango fruit is dropping out due to continuous heat waves though they are providing irrigation.

Many farmers said they are dependent on irrigation for the shortage of normal rainfall. Expenditure on produces is also increasing as they have to need more irrigation this time than the previous years.

Litchi fruits are witnessing huge sunburn due to heat waves while mangos are falling from plants because of heavy drought, according to local sources.

KJM Abdul Awal, director (in-charge) of the Horticulture Wing at the Department of Agriculture (DAE), told the Daily Sun that heat wave affects fruits significantly.

“Some mangoes and litchis may have been falling out. We are suggesting farmers to give proper irrigation to their orchards. There is huge humidity, if there is proper irrigation with this weather then it is not affect more,” he added.

Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) recommended spraying 2% urea with water on tree branches and leaves, said the horticulturist.

Livestock and fish farming are also affected by the ongoing heat wave; many broiler farm owners witnessed losses as their chickens died after heat stroke.

Fisheries scientists and specialists said that the ongoing hot weather is posing a serious threat to fish species, particularly small ones, as most water bodies are now drying up in many areas.

Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Due to the increase in moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).