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At least 11 die from heatstroke so far

Temp hits 43.8 °C, highest since 1989


FE REPORT | May 01, 2024 00:00:00


At least 11 people died from heatstroke in nine days amid the ongoing countrywide heatwave as Jashore recorded the season's highest temperature at 43.8 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

It was also the highest temperature registered in the country's history since 1989 and also the second highest ever recorded in the country.

Earlier, 43.7 degrees were recorded in Chuadanga.

The unusually hot weather is disrupting the lives of low-income earners, including farmers, day-labourers, and transport workers, across the country.

These people also face heightened health risks and economic challenges as they struggle to cope with boiling hot days, leading to decreased productivity and disruptions to agricultural and transport sectors.

Heatwave has been prevailing for more than 16 days.

The Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room (HEOC & CR) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) confirmed the deaths.

In the last 24 hours until Tuesday evening, a woman died in Chattogram, but her identity could not be known.

Among the deceased, two died in Chattogram district and one each in Madaripur, Chuadanga, Habiganj, Jhenidah, Khulna, Lalmonirhat, Rajbari and Bandarban.

According to the Met office forecast, the current severe heatwave continues to hit the capital and other parts of the country in the coming days until May 02.

Abul Kalam Mollik, a meteorologist at Bangladesh Meteorological Department, said "It may take a few more days for the mercury to drop to normal."

However, he said people in the eastern part of the country are likely to witness rain in the coming days.

The highest temperature in Dhaka was recorded at 40.5 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, said the Met office.

In its regular bulletin, the Met office said very severe heatwave was sweeping over the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, Pabna and Rajshahi and severe heatwave was sweeping over Dhaka division and the rest part of Khulna and Rajshahi divisions.

Mild-to-moderate heatwave was sweeping over Barishal, Rangpur and Chattogram divisions and the district of Mymensingh and it may continue until May.

The weathermen forecast that rain or thundershower, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind, is likely to occur at one or two places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places.

The weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, according to them. Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country, the Met office says, adding that due to an increase in moisture, discomfort may persist.

Meanwhile, UNB Chuadanga correspondent reports: The country's south-western district of Chuadanga recorded Tuesday's temperature at 43.7 degrees Celsius, the highest in 36 years in the district.

Jaminur Rahman, in-charge of Chuadanga weather observatory, said it was the highest temperature recorded in Chuadanga since the official opening of the weather observatory on 12 December 1988. "There is no possibility of rainfall in the next two days and the temperature may rise or remain unchanged further in Chuadanga," he said.

In 2005, Chuadanga experienced 43 degrees while it saw 43.2 degrees in 2014.

On Monday, it experienced the hottest day in the country with a temperature of 43 degrees. In 1972, Bangladesh recorded its highest temperature at 45.1 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi.

The prevailing heatwave also forced the government to shut primary and secondary schools, colleges and madrasas until May 02.

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