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Nine districts across the country are experiencing mild to moderate heat waves at the start of summer, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
On Tuesday, the BMD said Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Dhaka, Faridpur, Khulna, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia are currently under heat wave conditions, with forecasts suggesting that high temperatures may persist and spread to other parts of the country.
The heat wave may continue until Friday, said Meteorologist Md Tariful Newaz Kabir.
“Rain may increase from Saturday, and the temperature will decrease slightly that day," he told bdnews24.com on Tuesday.
When a large area experiences temperatures of 36°C to 38°C, it is considered a mild heat wave.
When it rises to 38°C to 40°C, it becomes moderate. Severe heat waves range from 40°C to 42°C, while anything above 42°C is classified as very severe.
Stating that such heat waves are natural around the beginning of summer, Meteorologist Tariful said: "The last three years have seen the hottest summers in Bangladesh in a century. Compared to that, the weather this year is quite tolerable."
Heat was clearly felt in Dhaka on Tuesday, with the temperature reaching 34°C, leaving pedestrians and outdoor workers struggling under the sun.
Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature in the country over the past 24 hours at 38°C, while the lowest was 19°C in Kurigram’s Rajarhat,
Sylhet logged the highest rainfall, receiving 49mm in the last 24 hours.
The Met Office said scattered rain and thunderstorms, along with temporary gusty winds and lightning, may occur in parts of Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, as well as isolated areas of Rangpur, Dhaka and Chattogram divisions.
There may also be scattered hailstorms in some places. But the weather is likely to remain largely dry with temporary partly cloudy skies in other parts of the country.