Country sizzles as heatwave continues

A severe heatwave was sweeping over at least 17 districts of the country with over 40 degree Celsius temperature at 4pm Monday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

The districts were Dhaka, Barishal, Tangail, Faridpur, Madaripur, Chandpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Kushtia, Naogaon, Sirajganj, Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jashore and Chuadanga.

However, the mercury dropped a couple of degrees after a while, but it did not help the country’s people suffering from the heatwave that left the whole of Southeast Asia sweltering over the weekend, bringing misery to millions.

When the temperature remains between 36 and 38 degree Celsius, it is called a mild heatwave. Moderate heatwave refers to 38-40 degrees and severe heatwave refers to a temperature that is higher than 40 degree Celsius.

BMD, in a bulletin published at 9am Monday, also warned that day and night temperatures could rise slightly over the country.

In the forecast, valid for the next 24 hours from 9am, BMD said that the mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over many places of the country, including Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal divisions, and it may continue and spread.

The heatwave is also sweeping over the districts of Dhaka, Tangail, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Manikganj, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Moulvibazar, Chattogram, Rangamati, Cumilla, Chandpur, Feni, Noakhali and Bandarban.

The weather may remain mainly dry with a temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, it added. No rainfall was recorded across the country during the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the bulletin also said, a low-pressure area has formed over Southeast Bay and adjoining South Andaman Sea and it is likely to intensify more. The country’s maximum temperature on Sunday was recorded at 39.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga while Monday’s minimum temperature — 21.2 degrees Celsius — was recorded at Tetulia.