Met office dismisses viral 55°C heat warning as fake

A viral social media post warning of extreme temperatures reaching up to 55 degrees Celsius in Bangladesh has been identified as false, with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) dismissing it as misleading and baseless.

The post claims that a “high alert” has been issued for the period from April 29 to May 12, advising people to avoid going outdoors between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm due to temperatures potentially rising between 45°C and 55°C. It also cites a so-called “Civil Defence Department” and urges widespread sharing of the message.

However, the BMD said the warning is entirely fake. Officials noted that no government body named “Civil Defence Department” exists in Bangladesh, making the source of the message unreliable.

The weather agency also clarified that Bangladesh has never recorded temperatures as high as 50°C, and such levels are highly unlikely under current climatic conditions.

According to the Met Office, there is a possibility of rain or thunderstorms in different parts of the country between April 27 and April 30, which may lead to a slight drop in temperature rather than an increase.

The viral message further claims that excessive heat could cause mobile phones to explode, warns against leaving items in vehicles, and suggests increased risks of snakes and scorpions emerging. Experts say most of these claims are exaggerated and lack scientific basis.