Heatwave grips Chuadanga as temperature nears 40°C

This is the season’s highest temperature in the district

Chuadanga is currently gripped by a moderate heatwave, where temperatures hovering near 40°C have cast distress over the city, leaving commuters and the low-income groups to bear the brunt of the sweltering skies.

The highest temperature was recorded at 39.7°C at 3pm on Friday, said Chuadanga weather office’s observer Tahmina Nasrin.

According to her, this is also the season’s highest temperature in the district.

The Met Office said a moderate heat wave has been sweeping the district for the last three days.

The temperature was recorded at 36.3°C on Wednesday and 38.5°C on Thursday.

A heatwave is classified as mild to moderate when temperatures range between 36°C and 39.9°C, while it is considered severe when the mercury hits between 40°C and 41.9°C.

The temperature started to surge in the morning, leading to a low presence of people in Chuadanga town since 11am.

“People are panting in the intense heat of the sun. Fewer people are coming out of their houses after 12 noon. This situation continues until the evening,” Tahmina said.

Van drivers and rickshaw-pullers are among the worst-sufferers as they transport passengers to their destinations.

People coming outdoors are quenching their thirst by eating watermelon and drinking coconut water from roadside shops.

Jamilur Rahman, incharge of the Chuadanga weather office, forecast that the situation may drag on for another two to three days.

But after Apr 6, the temperature may decrease to normal, he said.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in a monthly outlook on Thursday warned of two to four heatwaves in April, with chances of two of them bringing severe heat across the country.