No chance of rain until Monday: Met

A heatwave currently sweeping across Bangladesh will last for a few more days, the Met Office has said.

There is little likelihood of rain before Monday next week.

“The temperature may rise on Thursday,” said Met Office’s forecast officer Arif Hossain.

People are falling sick in hundreds across Bangladesh due to the sizzling heat.

Chuadanga recorded a temperature of 41.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, the highest of this season.

Last year, the highest temperature recorded was 41.5 degrees in Jessore.

Capital Dhaka registered a high of 39.4 degrees on Wednesday.

High levels of humidity, making the heat unbearable, also opens up chances of rain, the Met official said.

Power cuts and water shortage also contributed to the sufferings.

Hossain, however, termed the scorching heat ‘natural’ for this time of the year.

“The heatwave may continue for at least two more days and there’s no chance of rain until next Monday,” he told bdnews24.com.

A severe heat wave (over 40 degrees) may sweep Bangladesh’s north and north-western parts and two or three light to moderate heat waves (38-40 degrees) may hit other parts this month, the weather forecast said.

The health ministry said 6,905 people have been diagnosed with diarrhoea across the country over the past week. One of them has died.

The number of diarrhoea patients over the past month was 22,239. On Wednesday, 1,300 diarrhoea patients were admitted to hospital.

Weakness and fatigue caused by dehydration was another common complaint.

The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) scientist Azharul Islam said the summer heat was pushing up diarrhoea cases.

Doctors advise drinking of a lot of purified water and staying away from contaminated food. They also stress the importance of washing one's hands before eating.

Islam said, “Food gets contaminated quickly in summer. We have to be careful while eating and drinking.”