Although some parts of Bangladesh have already experienced light to moderate rainfall, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted heavy rainfall with thundershowers between May 6 and 11 across the country.
"Analysing mathematical model of rainfall index, Bangladesh is likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorm from May 6 . . . after the prolonged heatwave, the most welcoming rainfall is expected to bring some respite from the intense heat that battered the entire country since April 1," BMD meteorologist Abul Kalam Mallik told BSS on Saturday.
North-eastern, central parts including Sylhet division and some parts of Mymensingh and Dhaka division are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall between May 6 and 11 simultaneously south-western and north-western regions will witness rainfall with thunderstorms, he added, reports BSS.
Mallik warned people to stay outdoors during the hailstorm as the intensity of hailstorms is increasing, accompanied by frequent lightning impacted by climate change, which is largely responsible for casualties.
The meteorologist attributed uncomfortable feelings of unbearable hot weather to high humidity persisting in the air during the afternoon and evening period, suggesting avoiding movement between 12 noon to 4pm as the sunlight is getting too hot as the sun provides sunlight vertically with intense heat. "Normally, we record temperature from the air."
He said the highest temperature was found between 12 noon and 4pm because of the sun's vertical position.
Analysing humidity indexes, he continued, "There is a close relation of temperature and humidity . . . Discomfort will increase, if high humidity persists in the air with high temperature. Although temperature decreases after 4pm, very hot weather can be felt due to high humidity.”
The met office recorded 39.5 degrees Celsius at Rajshahi on Saturday, while the temperature in Dhaka was recorded at 36.9 degrees Celsius, but the high humidity exposed the residents to massive discomfort.
The BMD official said the country witnessed the longest heatwave duration for the past 32 days since April 1, and the met office warned the phenomenon would continue throughout the next month.
"But unlike the previous heatwaves, this year it spread all over the country," commented meteorologist Mallik.
Visibly for the first time, the meteorologists acknowledged that the climate change phenomenon caused the erratic weather pattern with gradually expanding areas of heatwave, joining the voice with the climate experts and activists.
Maximum temperature in the country started falling on average one or two degrees Celsius from May. The met office said predicting temperature may dip more from Monday as almost all parts of the country may witness much-awaited rainfall," said Md Omar Faruq, another BMD meteorologist.
Large swaths of Khulna and Rajshahi divisions are sweltering through a heatwave as the met office logged the highest temperature above 40 degrees Celsius in most stations located in the two divisions since April 1. Omar said predicting rains are likely to occur in different areas of the two divisions.
Meanwhile, a national guideline on heat-related illnesses will be launched on Sunday to protect children and vulnerable populations including pregnant women from heat-related health risks, Additional Director General (ADG) of Directorate General of Health Services Ahmed Kabir told BSS on Saturday.
"This is a comprehensive guideline incorporating all aspects related to illness caused by the heatwave," he said, adding the DGHS in Bangladesh, with UNICEF's support, will launch the national guideline to make the people aware of the adverse impact of a heatwave.
This national guideline, developed in collaboration with experts from health and other sectors, provides a comprehensive framework for responding effectively to heat-related health risks, Kabir said.
He attributed the prolonged heatwave, which has blasted almost the entire country, to negative impact of global climate change, unplanned urbanisations and deforestation.
"Bangladesh recorded average temperature 40 degree Celsius . . . but we feel severe uncomfortable as like as temperature nearly 50 degrees Celsius," Kabir said, adding this is happening because of inadequate number of trees, unplanned urbanisations and excessive use of air-conditioning.
Considering all these matters, the DGHS along with UNICEF is going to launch a comprehensive guideline to face the ongoing heatwave and future heatwave-related disasters.
UNICEF has been a proud supporter of this initiative, working closely with DGHS to ensure the development of the guidelines and the training of healthcare professionals across hospitals and health centres.
