Rain reprieve from Sunday as forecast suggests cool-off

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast the likelihood of rain in different parts of the country, which will provide a reprieve from the ongoing heatwave, from Sunday.

On Thursday, Meteorologist Shahnaz Sultana said heavy rainfall would occur in one or two places and cool down the weather.

“Heavy rainfall is forecast countrywide around Apr 10-12. The heatwave is likely to dissipate by then,” she said.

According to the regular weather bulletin, the skies could be occasionally partly cloudy in the 24 hours from 9am on Thursday and the weather is likely to remain dry.

Sylhet recorded the highest rainfall of 5mm in the 24-hour period until 6am on Thursday.

The weather may remain unchanged over the next 24 hours while the temperature could rise a bit at night, according to the forecast.

On Wednesday, a mild heatwave was sweeping over the Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Moulvibazar, Ranagamati, Jashore and Chuadanga districts.

Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature, at 38 degrees Celsius, while Dhaka logged a high of 34.5 degrees Celsius.

When temperatures range between 36 to 38 degrees Celsius over a significant area, it is considered a mild heat wave. When the mercury rises to 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, it is a moderate heat wave. Temperatures from 40 to 42 degrees Celsius are considered a severe heatwave, while temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius are labelled a very severe heatwave.