Oppressive heat likely to persist despite fall in temperatures

As the Bengali month of Joishtho draws to a close, a heatwave sweeping across parts of Bangladesh is likely to subside from Wednesday, according to forecasts by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

However, the discomfort from the sweltering heat may persist despite a drop in the mercury, said Meteorologist Md Omar Faruk.

He told bdnews24.com on Tuesday afternoon, “A mild heatwave is currently sweeping across the country’s four divisions and six districts. Today is expected to be the peak of it.

“The intensity of the heatwave will decrease from Wednesday. However, even if temperatures fall below 36°C, the sticky conditions will likely remain.”

Explaining the reason, he said: “There is a high level of moisture in the air, which will continue to make the heat feel oppressive. This situation may improve around the 16th or 17th of this month.”

“Rainfall is expected to rise slightly from tomorrow. But it will be minimal—possibly once during the day, followed by a return of these uncomfortable conditions.”

In its regular morning bulletin on Tuesday, the BMD reported that the monsoon is currently low over Bangladesh and weak to moderate over the North Bay, which is contributing to the reduced likelihood of rain.

For the 24 hours starting at 9am, the forecast said that scattered areas in Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and several places in Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barishal divisions may experience light to moderate rain or thunderstorms with gusty winds.

Elsewhere in the country, the weather is expected to remain mostly dry with temporary partly cloudy skies.

Additionally, both daytime and nighttime temperatures across the country are expected to remain nearly unchanged.

MILD HEATWAVE IN 4 DIVISIONS, 6 DISTRICTS

Meanwhile, the Met Office reported that a mild heatwave is currently sweeping across the Faridpur, Madaripur, Tangail, Chandpur, Feni and Patuakhali districts, as well as the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Khulna divisions. This condition may persist in the coming days.

According to the BMD’s classification, temperatures between 36°C and 38°C are considered a mild heatwave, 38-40°C as a moderate heatwave, 40- 42°C as a severe heatwave and above 42°C as a very severe heatwave.

In the past 24 hours, the highest temperature in the country was recorded in Nilphamari’s Syedpur at 37.5°C.

The lowest temperature was recorded in Rangamati, at 22.6°C.

During this period, the highest rainfall occurred in Noakhali’s Hatia, with 24mm. Additionally, Chattogram recorded 18mm and Sreemangal 13mm of rainfall.