Moderate heatwave to continue in 48 districts

The heatwave is unlikely to subside before Saturday, said Md Tariful Newaz Kabir, a meteorologist at the BMD

A mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over a total of 48 districts of the country, including Dhaka, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

In its regular bulletin, BMD said a mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over 13 districts of the Dhaka Division, eight districts of the Rajshahi Division, eight districts of the Rangpur Division, 10 districts of the Khulna division, six districts of the Barishal Division, and the Chandpur, Noakhali and Brahmanbaria districts.

This heatwave is unlikely to subside before Saturday, said Md Tariful Newaz Kabir, a meteorologist at the BMD.

He told bdnews24.com, "It is raining in some places in the northeastern part of the country, the Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions. As a result, the temperature in the northeastern region is slightly lower. There is no possibility of much rain in other parts of the country before Saturday. Hence, the heatwave will continue in those areas."

"Some scattered rainfall in areas affected by the heatwave may temporarily reduce temperatures slightly, but the heatwave will not be over. Heavy rain in these areas will reduce the heatwave after Saturday."

The Met Office forecast says light to moderate rain and thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind and lightning flashes is likely to occur at a few places over the Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over the Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal divisions, with moderately heavy falls at places over the country.

On Thursday, the day temperature may fall slightly over the northeastern part of the country and it may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere. Day and night temperatures may fall slightly over the country on Friday. However, due to increase of humidity, the discomfort may persist on both days.

When the temperature is between 36 to 38 degrees Celsius, it is considered a mild heatwave. Temperatures between 38 to 40 degrees Celsius are considered a moderate heatwave, while temperatures from 40 to 42 degrees Celsius are called severe heatwaves. When the temperature rises above 42 degrees Celsius, it is a very severe heatwave.

The Dhaka sky remained clear on Thursday morning, making people suffer from heat and humidity. Around 12pm, the mercury rose to 35 degrees Celsius in the capital.

According to BMD, Dinajpur recorded the highest temperature in the country over the 24 hours to 6am on Thursday, with the mercury there hitting 38.5 degrees Celsius.

The lowest temperature in the country was in Sylhet at 23.5 degrees Celsius. The BMD said the highest rainfall recorded in the country over the 24 hours was 28mm, also in Sylhet.