The government on Sunday decided to shut down all primary schools across Bangladesh for four days due to the severe heatwave.
The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education announced the decision, suspending all classes in primary schools from Monday to Thursday.
It comes as the Met office on Sunday said that the prevailing heatwave is likely to continue further for the next five to six days over the country.
Due to excessive moisture incursion, the discomfort may continue, it warned.
This situation arose because of an effect of a westerly low, lying over West Bengal and adjoining areas.
A mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna and Barisal divisions, the rest of Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, and the districts of Moulvibazar, Chandpur and Noakhali, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
A severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Naogaon, Nilphamari and Dinajpur and it is likely to continue.
Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at one or two places over Khulna, Barisal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, and weather may remain mainly dry with a temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, the BMD predicted on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel said it was not inappropriate to organize sports events for children during this severe heatwave.
"Children are extremely sensitive, but they can handle heat and cold well. In spite of this, they have also been affected by this heatwave,” he said.
The junior minister was talking to journalists at Tangail Circuit House before laying the foundation stone of Sheikh Russel Mini Stadiums in Tangail Sadar, Ghatail and Sakhipur on Sunday.
The state minister's comments came after the death of a fifth grader, Ria Akhter, who died after participating in a sports event organized by a local school in Tangail on May 29.
Her death is believed to have been caused by the heatwave. Two more students also became sick while playing in the same tournament the next day.
On the other hand, two more tea garden labourers died of heatstroke in Moulvibazar on May 31.
Even though extreme weather conditions are not unexpected to people anymore, their discomfort has increased due to excessive moisture. Because of the excessive heat, meteorologists have warned people against staying outside for long.