Very severe heatwave hits parts of Bangladesh

A very severe heatwave has gripped parts of Bangladesh, with maximum temperatures ranging from 40°C to over 42°C in some areas.

“Very severe heatwave is sweeping Pabna, Jessore, and Chuadanga districts and severe heatwave is sweeping Dhaka and parts of Khulna divisions and Rajshahi district,” said a bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Sunday.

The country’s highest temperature was recorded at 42.2°C in Chuadanga on Sunday while Dhaka experienced highest 38.2°C temperature (recorded till 3pm), meteorologist Shahinul Islam told UNB.

Two people died from heat stroke in Chuadanga and Pabna districts on Saturday amid the extreme heat weather due to the prevailing heatwave for the past few days.

The season’s highest temperature in the capital Dhaka was recorded at 40.4°C on Saturday and the country’s highest temperature was recorded in Jashore at 42.6°C, which was also the season's high for the country.

The BMD issued a warning that the heatwave condition will remain unchanged for the five days commencing 9am on Saturday.

Over 42°C temperature is considered as very severe heatwave while between 40-41.9°C is considered as severe and 38-39.9°C is considered as moderate heatwave while 36-37.9°C is conserved as mild heatwave in the country, according to the BMD.

The heatwave condition forced the authorities concerned to close all schools, madrasas and colleges till April 27.

Dhaka University authorities also announced to hold classes online due to the scorching heat.

The regular bulletin of Met office on Sunday predicted rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind at one or two places over Mymensingh, Sylhet, and Chittagong divisions with hails at isolated places.

Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, it said.

Mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping Barisal division and parts of Rajshahi division and Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Feni, Cox’s Bazar, Chandpur and Rangamati districts and it may continue, the bulletin added.

Day temperature may rise by (1-2)°C over Rangpur division and it may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere over the country.

Night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

Due to increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may persist.

Source: UNB