Bangladesh braces for three more days of scorching heat as severe heatwave likely

With a hot spell already leaving people drained, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) projects three more days of sweltering heat, which could intensify into a severe heatwave in the coming days.

According to Friday’s regular Met Office bulletin, daytime temperatures may rise 1 or 2°C, while the mercury is likely to rise slightly at night as well.

The Met Office also warned there may be a severe heatwave in some places in the next 72 hours from 2pm on Friday.

Usually, the end of Chaitra, the second Bengali month of summer, brings searing heat with it, causing extreme fatigue and leaving those working outdoors gasping for breath.

On Thursday, the BMD reported a mild to moderate heatwave sweeping across 45 districts of the country – the Rangpur, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Rajarhat, Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Feni, Noakhali, Chittagong, Bandarban, Barisal, Patuakhali districts and the Dhaka, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions.

On Thursday, the country’s highest temperature of 39.7°C was recorded in Chuadanga. The highest temperature in Dhaka was 38°C.

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