BusinessToday24 Correspondent from Dhaka: With no rain in sight and temperatures continuing to soar, not just humans, but also livestock and poultry are reeling under the effects of an extreme heatwave. From free-grazing cattle in the fields to chickens in enclosed poultry farms, animals across the northern, central, and southwestern parts of Bangladesh are suffering, prompting serious concerns among thousands of farmers who now face both reduced production and rising death rates.
In areas like Shahjadpur in Sirajganj, Bogura, Mirzapur in Tangail, and parts of Faridpur and Shariatpur, cattle can be seen seeking shade in abandoned homes or under dense trees to escape the midday sun. In Shariatpur, more than a hundred goats and cows were spotted roaming the fields and later huddling inside an abandoned homestead to escape the blazing heat. Locals warn that this free movement of animals across open fields increases the risk of lightning strikes during unpredictable summer storms.
Livestock officers at the upazila level have confirmed that animals too are vulnerable to heatstroke. Farmers are being advised to bathe their animals frequently, ensure access to clean drinking water, and keep them in shaded areas whenever possible.
Sirajganj—one of the country’s largest milk-producing zones—is already seeing a significant drop in output. Shahjadpur-based dairy farmer Momtaz Uddin said his daily milk production has dropped from 8-9 maunds to less than 6 due to the oppressive heat. “The cows are panting constantly. But if we bathe them in cold water, they often catch fevers,” he said.
In riverine char areas, buffalo farmers say they are forced to keep their animals submerged in water for most of the day due to lack of natural shade, which has made livestock maintenance extremely challenging.
Poultry farms in Sirajganj, Manikganj, Mymensingh, and Kishoreganj are also facing acute distress. Farmers report that chickens are dying in large numbers daily. SM Tofizuddin, a poultry farmer from Harinhata village, said, “Due to the heat, the birds are hardly eating—just drinking small amounts of water.” Another farmer, Rocky, who manages 40,000 chickens, confirmed that a significant portion of his flock is dying every day.
This disruption in poultry production has already impacted the market. Wholesale chicken trader Iman Ali from Sirajganj’s main market said, “We are buying less now because the supply is low. That’s why prices are rising in the retail market.”
District-level livestock officials have launched awareness campaigns to educate farmers on heatwave management. They are advising them to bathe cattle three times a day, ensure access to clean water and feed, use open or shaded spaces, and sprinkle water on rooftops to lower temperatures. Officials confirm that the extreme heat is disrupting animal physiology, which is leading to a sharp drop in milk and egg production.
Sirajganj’s District Livestock Officer Dr. AKM Anwarul Haque said, “So far, there has been no large-scale loss, but if this heatwave persists, the damage could become widespread.”
Environmental experts say that the long-term impacts of climate change are now visibly affecting both agriculture and livestock sectors. Without sustainable farm management plans and climate adaptation strategies, they warn that the crisis could deepen in the coming years.
