The country experienced the hottest day of the year yesterday as temperature reached 40.6 degrees Celsius in Rangamati.
The Met office said the second highest temperature, 40.3 degrees Celsius, was measured in Chuadanga whereas in Dhaka it was 38.5 degrees Celsius. It said the heat wave would continue for the next few days as there was no sign of rainfall in the atmosphere.
“The hot weather will be there for a couple of days but will not go beyond April 27,” said Sanaul Hoque Mondal, a meteorologist of the office, adding that the temperature was likely to reach 41-43 degrees Celsius within the next few days due to the absence of rainfall.
Regarding the absence of rainfall, the Met office said the westerly wind, which is responsible for rainfall in this time of the year, was yet to blow, thus causing the intolerable heat wave.
According to the Met office, the country has experienced only 751 millimetres of rainfall this month which is far below the expected amount.
“For instance, the average rainfall during this period in Dhaka is 127 millimetres while we’ve got only 39 millimetres till yesterday,” an official at the Met office said.
In the last 10 years, the highest temperature in the country was recorded 43.2 degrees Celsius in Jessore in 2009 and the second highest 41.5 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga on April 9 last year.
However, the highest temperature that hit the country was 45.1 degree Celsius on May 18, 1972.
Although temperature in Dhaka is lower compared to other areas, it feels hotter. Meteorologists said this was the result of higher population density, fewer plantation and loads of concrete structures.
Heat wave hits Rajshahi badly
The mercury lately soared to 35-40 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi, leaving people outdoors panting for water and cool air.
Local Met office said a mild heat wave hit most of the northern districts, restricting people’s movement, particularly at midday when heat from the sun reached its peak.
Low-income groups, including day labourers and rickshaw pullers, were among the worst hit, forcing many to refrain from work. People preferred to stay inside due to the scorching heat as city roads and markets remained virtually deserted during the daytime.
Traffic policeman Abu Jamal standing at a corner at Gourhanga rail crossing almost fell down on the street because of the sizzling temperature.
“I couldn’t take it anymore. I was feeling drowsy and at one point almost collapsed,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.
Officials, meanwhile, said temperatures this season might set a new record.
“We aren’t certain about whether the situation in the northern districts would become worse but we’re assuming that we might cross last year’s record,” said an official of the local Met office yesterday.
Physicians at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) have advised people to drink enough water during the daytime, cold water if possible.
Mahbubur Rahman Khan, Associate Professor of Medicine at RMCH, told the Dhaka Tribune that children, newborn babies, elderly people and cardiac patients usually suffer most in sultry weather.
“Sufficient oral saline and water should be taken to have protection from dehydration,” he said.
Mango farmers in Rajshahi, meanwhile, are worried that they might get a poor production this year.