Staff Correspondent
Adding to the woes of the people, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Friday said the ongoing heatwave is expected to continue for the next 72 hours.
It also issued a 72-hour heat alert nationwide as a heatwave is sweeping most parts of the country with intermittent rains and thundershowers in some places.
Discomfort might increase due to high humidity, said a warning from the Meteorological Department, signed by Meteorologist Dr Mohammad Abul Kalam Mallik, on Friday.
Meteorologist Tarikul Newaz Kabir said: “A temperature of 41.3° was recorded in Chuadanga, the highest in the country.”
The Chuadanga Meteorological Office reported that the temperature was recorded at 3pm on Friday, registering the unwanted feat for the fourth straight day.
The temperature in the Chuadanga and Meherpur regions has fluctuated between 40° and 41°. The negligible difference between day and night temperatures has made life unbearable in these areas.
Due to the intense heatwave, the number of heat-related illnesses in hospitals in these areas is increasing. Low-income workers, who earn their livelihood through physical labour, are in trouble as they can not work even if they leave their homes when necessary.
To raise public awareness during this severe heatwave, the Chuadanga District Administration is using loudspeakers in key areas of the city to warn pedestrians and residents. They are advised not to go outside unless absolutely necessary, and extra precautions are being requested for children and the elderly.
Chuadanga Weather Observatory Centre in-Charge Jaminur Rahman said: “The heat feels more intense due to increased humidity in the air. Last Tuesday and Wednesday, the district recorded maximum temperatures of 40.6° and 40.8°, respectively.”
On April 19 and 20, 2023, the highest seasonal temperature was 42.8°, an extremely severe heatwave. If there is no rain soon, this record could be broken this year.
An all-time high temperature in the country was recorded at 45.1°C in Rajshahi on May 30, 1972.
Khulna is the most affected division that has seen the record highest temperature in the country for decades, with Jessore at 42.4°C and Chuadanga at 42°C on April 24, 2014. Dhaka's highest temperature was 40.7°C, or the maximum in 54 years (42.3°C on April 30, 1960).
Chuadanga also recorded the highest temperature of 39.1°C alongside Ishwardy in 1995. It remained the hottest day among all districts until 2012, according to the Met Office.
Meanwhile, parents have demanded that educational institutions remain closed until the heatwave subsides. Some have called for holidays in educational institutions due to the heat before the summer vacation starts.
Chuadanga Education Officer Ataur Rahman has already informed the directorate about the heatwave and said: “The ongoing heatwave in Chuadanga has been reported to the directorate, but no instructions have been received yet. Measures will be taken once instructions are received.”
The Chuadanga Meteorological Office said there is currently no chance of rain. Consequently, this temperature will continue to rise.
Meanwhile, the BMD on Friday evening forecast that rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind are likely to occur at one or two places over Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and the regions of Comilla and Kishoregonj with hail storms at isolated places.
The weather may remain mainly dry with a temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, it added.
