Hot spell likely to persist as heatwave sweeps across 40 districts

Meteorologists warn the ongoing dry spell may keep temperatures elevated for up to two more days

The mercury rose as the day progressed. On Sunday, Apr 6, 2025, many citizens splash water on their faces from a tap in front of Bangabhaban Colony in Tikatuli, trying to cool off amid the blistering heatwave. Photo: Abdullah al Momin

A mild heatwave is sweeping across at least 40 districts in Bangladesh and is expected to persist for another one to two days, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has said.

The affected areas include eight districts in Rangpur Division, as many in Rajshahi, 10 in Khulna and six in Barishal, along with Dhaka, Narayanganj, Tangail, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Mymensingh, Chandpur and Lakshmipur, meteorologist Md Shaheenul Islam told bdnews24.com on Tuesday.

He said the hot spell is typical for this time of year and may continue for the next couple of days, with a possibility of extending to additional districts.

“There is no possibility of rain in the meantime. If it rains, the heatwave will subside,” he added.

The BMD classifies temperatures between 36°C and 38°C as a mild heatwave, 38°C to 40°C as moderate, and anything above 40°C as severe.

According to the Met Office’s daily bulletin, light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning flashes are likely at a few places in Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, and at one or two places in Dhaka Division over the next 24 hours from Tuesday morning.

Moderately heavy rainfall is also expected in parts of Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet.

Elsewhere in the country, the weather is expected to remain mainly dry with partly cloudy skies.

Day and night temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged.

BMD data show that in the 24 hours to Tuesday morning, the highest temperature was recorded at 38°C in Khulna, while the lowest was 23.7°C in Sylhet.

Cumilla recorded the country’s highest rainfall during the period, measuring 54mm.

For Wednesday, the Met Office forecasts light to moderate rain or thundershowers in many places across Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, with scattered showers elsewhere and isolated heavier falls in parts of the country.

Temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged, with a slight dip in night temperatures.

A similar pattern is expected on Thursday, with rainfall and thundershowers likely in several divisions, including Rangpur and Sylhet.

The BMD said both day and night temperatures may fall slightly as rain activity increases.