A heatwave that has been blazing across Bangladesh, making life miserable all around, will continue at least for two more days, the Met office says.
On Sunday, the mercury shot to 40 degrees Celsius in Rangamati, the highest temperature of the season – six notches higher than the normal reading of 34 degrees for this time of the year.
Capital Dhaka recorded a temperature of 38.5 degrees in the day.
The weather office declares heatwave conditions when the maximum temperature rises five degrees above normal to either touch or cross 40.
Senior Met officer Sanaul Haq Mandal said the high levels of humidity made the heat unbearable. On Sunday, Dhaka recorded 77 percent humidity.
“The current heatwave will remain for at least another two days,” Mandal told bdnews24.com. And there is little chance of rain coming into the picture.
He said such heatwaves are common in April at the beginning of the Bengali month of Baishakh. “The temperature will come down gradually,” he said.
Last year, the highest temperature was recorded at 41.5 degrees in April.
The highest temperature Bangladesh experienced was on May 18, 1972, in Rajshahi – 45.1 degrees.
Mandal, however, said there was a slight possibility of rain after this week.
But there would not be any depression in the Bay of Bengal even after the rise in temperature, he added.
The weather will remain dry in the next 24 hours, said the Met office forecast.
In its forecast for the month, it said there might be one or two depression in the Bay of Bengal in April while one of them may turn into cyclone.
North, northeast and central parts of the country may witness moderate to severe Nor’wester on two or three days, and in other parts, moderate Nor’wester might happen on three or four days.
A severe heatwave (over 40 degrees) may sweep the north and north-western parts and two or three light to moderate heatwave (38-40 degrees) in other parts this month.
The drastic change in weather over the past few days has triggered illnesses, mainly viral infections resulting in sore throat, fever and gastroenteric disorders.
Anyone stepping out without adequate skin protection risks having rashes along with sunburn, medical experts say.
Weakness and fatigue caused by dehydration is another common complaint.
Source: UNBConnect
