Mild heatwave to continue baking parts of Bangladesh

The mild heatwave sweeping over Dhaka and six other districts at the end of March will persist for some time, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

However, parts of Sylhet may experience rain or thunderstorms alongside temporary gusty winds on Tuesday.

Meteorologist Shaheenul Islam said on Monday, “A mild heat wave is flowing through the Rajshahi, Pabna, Jashore, Chuadanga, Dhaka, Faridpur, Patuakhali and Rangamati districts and will continue.”

The highest temperature recorded in the 24 hours to 6am on Monday was 37.2 degrees Celsius in Pabna’s Ishwardi.

Morning on Eid Day was not particularly hot, with prayer services across the country conducted amid pleasant weather.

Shaheenul said that the second day of Eid may see partially cloudy skies, but will largely remain dry.

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.

Little rain is expected this week and temperatures are likely to remain largely unchanged, according to the BMD forecast.

The long-term forecast for March said that the western and south-western parts of the country could see a mild to moderate heatwave during the month. It also said that day and night temperatures were expected to climb slowly.