Heatwave spreads across 20 districts in Bangladesh, relief likely after Apr 27

A broad heatwave continues to grip large parts of Bangladesh, with meteorologists warning that sweltering conditions across multiple districts are likely to persist for several more days before any significant relief sets in.

In a bulletin issued on Thursday, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said a severe heatwave is currently affecting Rajshahi District.

A mild to moderate heatwave is also prevailing over the rest of Rajshahi Division and the entire Khulna Division, and the districts of Dhaka, Tangail, Faridpur, Madaripur, Dinajpur, Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, Rangamati, and Bandarban.

Meteorologist AKM Nazmul Hoque told bdnews24.com that the current conditions are expected to persist for several days.

"We expect temperatures to fall across the country around the 27th to 28th of April. However, a few districts in Khulna Division may be exceptions," he said.

In the 24 hours leading up to Thursday evening, the country’s highest temperature was recorded in Jashore at 38°C, while Dhaka saw a maximum of 37°C.

On Wednesday, the mercury had hit 40°C in Rajshahi.

According to the meteorological scale, temperatures between 36°C and 38°C are classified as a mild heatwave, 38°C to 40°C as moderate, 40°C to 42°C as severe, and anything above 42°C is considered an extreme heatwave.

The bulletin also said one or two places in Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions may experience temporary gusty winds, lightning, rain or thundershowers, along with isolated hailstorms.

Elsewhere, the weather is likely to remain mainly dry with partly cloudy skies.

Day temperatures across the country may remain nearly unchanged, while night temperatures may rise slightly, the forecast added.