Amid the heatwave raging across the country, prices of fans, especially rechargeable ones, and umbrellas have surged with the demand of the items going high in the market.
Prices of high-demand items are routinely hiked up in Bangladesh鈥檚 poorly-regulated market, which is a case for these summer items too.
Exorbitant prices have left many people who live and work in poorly-ventilated condition or under the open sky in the city unable to buy the fans and umbrellas which they need most to survive the sweltering heat.聽
Visits to various areas in the capital on Friday, including old Dhaka and Baitul Mukkarram, found traders to more than double the prices of rechargeable fans and umbrellas.聽
Many customers were seen leaving without buying the items as their fierce haggling failed to bring the items within their reach, while others opted for increasing their budget to be able to buy the must-have items.
Md Moksedur Rahman, who returned without purchasing a mini portable rechargeable fan from Baitul Mukkarram street, said that the vendor was asking聽 Tk 650 for each fan, whereas he had bought them for Tk 250 last year.
Alimuzzaman Alim, president of the Bangladesh Electrical Association, blamed the exorbitant price hike on a syndicate allegedly of importers. He said that prices of various types of rechargeable fans have doubled.聽
鈥楽uppose the original retail price of a rechargeable fan was between Tk 2,200 and Tk 2,400 after import. But they are now selling it for Tk 7,000鈥� 8,000, taking advantage of the situation,鈥� he said, adding that the price of a ceiling fan has also increased by up to Tk 300.
He said that rechargeable fans are particularly in high demand from March to July, especially outside Dhaka, due to frequent power cuts. During this period, around 20 lakh rechargeable fans are sold, with over one crore various kinds of fans sold annually across the country.
UNICEF, on its website, recommends in its heatwave safety tips staying in the shade or using hats and umbrellas for protection.
It said that excessive heat poses health risks to everyone, but infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to heat stress.
Laily Begum, who purchased two small-sized umbrellas for her minor children from a shop in Chawk Bazaar, said that she bought a small-sized umbrella for Tk 110, which was priced at Tk 70 to Tk 80 just three months earlier.
Amanul Haque Montu, who sells umbrellas in Chawk Bazaar, acknowledged that umbrella prices have risen since last year as the sales have increased, with an escalation of up to Tk 100 per umbrella.
Street vendors in front of Baitul Mukkarram were observed charging more than double the usual price for an umbrella.
Shahnaz Begum, who purchased a BMW brand umbrella for Tk 450 after a hard bargain to shade herself from the scorching sun, said that the vendor initially demanded Tk 850 for the umbrella.聽
Sellers vending tea, juice and other items in streets were also observed purchasing umbrellas.
Several street vendors selling rechargeable fans and umbrellas said that sales were much better last year, as many are unable to buy these items this year due to rising living costs.
An umbrella can be purchased for prices ranging from Tk 250 to over Tk 1000, depending on the brand and size, while rechargeable fans, including small-sized portable ones, can be bought for prices ranging from Tk 300 to over Tk 10,000.
The ongoing heatwave continued for 27 days on Friday with forecasts of no let-up聽 until May 2.
