The temperature in Khulna reached 41.3°C on Sunday which was the highest in 22 years.
Meteorologists say this year's heat has a different dimension. Humidity is lower than normal. Therefore, the lips are getting dry and chapped. The heat is also being felt on the skin.
The Meteorological Department recorded the highest temperature of 41.8°C in Chuadanga and Jessore districts on the same day. Paddy fields are bearing the brunt of the heat in Chuadanga. Vegetables are also being damaged in the entire region.
In 2014, Chuadanga recorded a temperature of 43°C. And in 2021, the highest temperature was recorded at 41°C.
Meteorologist Amirul Azad, officer-in-charge of Khulna Meteorological Office, said that the Ishwardi-Rajshahi belt of the Chuadanga-Jessore region is on the geographic Tropic of Cancer line. Due to geographical reasons, this belt is extremely hot in summer and cold in winter.
“The reason for the change in weather in the belt is also different. The upper layer of the atmosphere does not change easily in this belt. It will continue behaving the same way as it is the natural way for the atmosphere to behave,” said Amirul Azad. The atmospheric change will occur when it rains or winter comes.
Dhaka TribuneMustafa Sarwar, a professor of the Urban and Rural Planning Department of Khulna Engineering and Technology University (Kuet), said the temperature is high in areas adjacent to the Padma River. It is relative to tree plantation.
“Heat will be high during the heatwave in any area, and on the contrary, the temperature will be lower during winter. But it is also relative to the amount of rainfall,” the professor said.
“But there may suddenly come a nor'wester and there is a possibility that these storms or nor'westers will damage crops and houses as they will come without ringing any alarm,” he further said.
Dr Abdullah Harun Chowdhury, a professor at the Environmental Science Department of Khulna University, said: “Once upon a time, the hottest area of the country was Lalpur of Natore. That situation has changed due to man-made causes. The temperature is rising due to the filling of wetlands, and lack of water and low-lying areas are becoming barren, and reservoirs are also gradually decreasing. Along with continuous climate change, these factors are also damaging the environment.”
Md Omar Farooq, a meteorologist from Chuadanga said the heatwave may continue till April 23. He said: “Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the biggest religious festivals of Muslims, will be celebrated on April 22 or 23. There is a possibility of rainfall towards Chittagong, Mymensingh and Sylhet during Eid.”