Heatwave in 11 districts to persist ‘for a couple of days’

The heatwave may spread further around Sunday or Monday, a meteorologist says

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) says that 11 districts across the country – including Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Khulna – are experiencing a mild heatwave.

Pabna, Sirajganj, Tangail, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jashore, Chandpur, and Lakshmipur were also feeling the heatwave, the BMD said on Wednesday.

The heat may persist for another one or two days, according to Meteorologist Md Omar Faruk.

He told bdnews24.com on Thursday, "Heatwave are normal in this season. This heatwave will continue for the next few days and there is a possibility of the heatwave spreading further towards Sunday or Monday.”

On Thursday, the BMD forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporarily gusty or squally winds and lightning at many places in the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places in the Khulna, Barisal and Chittagong divisions.

Moderately heavy to heavy rain may occur in some places in the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions.

Meteorologist Faruk said temperatures would dip slightly wherever rainfall occurred, bringing down both day and night temperatures across the country.

A mild heatwave is defined as temperatures between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius. The scale runs from moderate at 38 to 40 degrees, severe at 40 to 42 degrees, to very severe above 42 degrees.

The sky has been cloudy in the capital Dhaka since Thursday morning. However, pedestrians and working people have been left panting in the sweltering heat.

The Met Office also warned on its verified Facebook page of possible thunderstorms or rain with gusty winds in parts of Kushtia, Rajbari, Gazipur, Manikganj, Narsingdi, Dhaka, Narayanganj and Munshiganj by 2pm on Thursday, advising the public to stay indoors during thunderstorms.

Ramgati in Lakshmipur recorded the country's highest temperature in the 24 hours to 6am on Thursday, with the mercury hitting 37.5 degrees Celsius. Sylhet logged the lowest at 22.5 degrees Celsius.

The highest rainfall over the period was 81mm in Saidpur.

Meanwhile, the BMD said that Friday would bring light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning in some places in the Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and one or two places in the Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions.

In addition, moderately heavy to heavy rain may occur in some places in the Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.

Day temperatures may increase slightly across the country and night temperatures may remain largely unchanged.

On Saturday, similar conditions are expected across Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet, with one or two places in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram also likely to see showers.

Day temperatures may edge up slightly with night temperatures remaining nearly unchanged.