Bangladesh sees temperatures spike after early Boishakh rain

After sporadic rainfall in the early days of Boishakh, temperatures have started to rise again across Bangladesh.

A mild heatwave is now sweeping through four districts — Rajshahi, Pabna, Jashore and Chuadanga — and could spread to more areas, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Dhaka experienced a mix of sunshine and cloud cover throughout the day on Tuesday.

While the heat was uncomfortable, light breezes kept the conditions tolerable.

“This weather is likely to continue for the next two to three days,” meteorologist Shahnaz Sultana told bdnews24.com on Tuesday evening.

“Apart from Sylhet, most divisions will see reduced chances of rain, while the heatwave may intensify and spread. Rain may pick up again later this month,” she said.

In an evening bulletin, the Met Office forecast occasional gusty winds with lightning and scattered showers in parts of Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, and at some places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.

Elsewhere, the weather is likely to remain mainly dry with partly cloudy skies.

The heatwave is now sweeping over Rajshahi, Pabna, Jashore and Chuadanga, and the Met Office predicts it may expand.

Both daytime and nighttime temperatures are expected to edge up in the coming days.

Meteorologists classify a temperature range between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius as a mild heatwave, while 38-40 degrees Celsius is considered a moderate heatwave. If temperatures rise to 40-42 degrees Celsius, it is termed a severe heatwave. Readings above 42 degrees Celsius are classified as an extreme heatwave.

Sylhet recorded the highest rainfall in the country in the past 24 hours, with 50 mm, while Rangpur saw 44 mm.

Several other locations also experienced some rain.

The highest temperature of the day — 37.2 degrees Celsius — was reported in Jashore and Rajshahi, while the lowest was 21.2 degrees Celsius in the hilly district of Bandarban.