Rain, thundershowers forecast on Thursday as heatwave sweeps across six districts

While the heatwave tightens its hold, forecasts of gusty winds and thunderstorms hint at a possible temperature drop

A spell of mild to moderate heatwave continues to sweep across six districts, with meteorologists forecasting rain and thunderstorms that could bring brief relief by Thursday.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Wednesday, the second day of Bengali New Year 1433, said the affected districts reeling from sweltering heat are Rangpur, Pabna, Sirajganj, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia.

But there may be temporary gusty winds and lightning coupled with rain or thundershowers in one or two places of eight divisions, resulting in a slight drop in temperature on Thursday, said meteorologist Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik.

He told bdnews24.com in the evening, "If it rains in one or two places on Thursday, the day and night temperatures will drop slightly.

“There may be rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds and lightning in a few places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions on Friday,” Mallik said.

The day and night temperatures will remain unchanged across the country on Friday, according to the meteorologist.

He, however, warned of a slight increase in day and night temperatures from Saturday.

According to a 24-hour forecast starting at 6pm, rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds and lightning may occur at some places in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Barishal and Chattogram divisions.

The weather will remain mainly dry with partly cloudy skies in other parts of the country, the Met Office said.

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 capital suffered from scorching heat and high humidity throughout the day on Wednesday, with the temperature reaching a maximum of 35.2°C.

The country's highest temperature was recorded in Rajshahi at 39.2°C in the last 24 hours, when Sylhet registered 77mm of rainfall -- the highest nationwide.

In its monthly outlook on Apr 2, the BMD warned of two to four heatwaves through the month, with chances of two of them bringing severe heat.

There is the possibility of one of the two lows likely to form over the Bay of Bengal turning into a cyclone, it added.