A severe heat wave sweeping across Bangladesh for the past three days has left daily life in disarray, with people sweltering in the oppressive weather.
Like Saturday, temperatures remained nearly unchanged on Sunday.
However, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has offered some relief, saying the temperature may start to drop from Monday.
Some areas could even see scattered rain, the department said.
On Sunday, Dhaka recorded a maximum temperature of 39.9°C, slightly down from Saturday’s 40.1°C — the city’s highest temperature so far this season.
Chuadanga reported the country’s highest temperature at 41.8°C, following Saturday’s 42°C and Friday’s 41.2°C.
Other parts of the country also saw temperatures above 40°C.
According to the forecast, this heat wave may persist for another day.
Besides Chuadanga, several districts recorded 40°C temperatures on Sunday. In Jessore, the temperature stood at 40.2°C — the same as Saturday. Rajshahi recorded 40.8°C, slightly higher than Saturday’s 40.7°C. In Ishwardi, it was 40°C, up from 39.9°C the previous day, while Baghabari maintained a steady 40°C for both days.
The met office had earlier warned that from Friday, various parts of the country could face an intense heat wave over a 72-hour period.
True to the forecast, many regions remained under severe heat through Sunday.
Meteorologist Shahnaz Sultana said there is a chance of rainfall in different parts of the country starting Monday.
“Today, temperatures in several regions still hovered above 40°C, though they slightly declined from Saturday. We expect a further drop on Monday,” she said.
Scattered rain or thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds are expected in parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions on Monday.
Meanwhile, the brunt of the heat wave is being borne by low-income, working-class people.
With a three-day public holiday keeping most government and private offices, courts, and educational institutions shut, many have been spared the usual ordeal.
But daily wage earners such as rickshaw pullers and domestic workers continue to toil under the blazing sun.
At midday in Shantinagar, Abdus Salam, a visibly exhausted rickshaw puller, said: “I just can not pull anymore. One round of rickshaw pulling and I feel like I am dying.”
Other rickshaw pullers resting in the shade nearby echoed his sentiments.
