A mild to moderate heatwave, with temperatures ranging between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius, swept across the capital and 21 districts on Saturday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
The heatwave was prevailing over the Khulna division and the districts of Dhaka, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Patuakhali, Rangamati, Bandarban, Lakshmipur and Feni, the BMD said in its weather bulletin issued on Saturday.
The weather office said the heatwave might persist for a few more days, while both day and night temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
However, the BMD forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by lightning flashes and temporary gusty winds at a few places in the Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, and at one or two places in the Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions.
Moderately heavy to heavy rainfall may also occur at places in the Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, it added.
Dhaka recorded a temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while the highest temperature in the country was 37.8 degrees Celsius, according to the weather office.
A BMD meteorologist said temperatures between 36 degrees Celsius and 37.9 degrees Celsius are classified as a mild heatwave, while 38 degrees Celsius to 39.9 degrees Celsius fall under a moderate heatwave.
Temperatures between 40 degrees Celsius and 41.9 degrees Celsius are considered a severe heatwave, while anything above 42 degrees Celsius is categorised as a very severe heatwave.
Meanwhile, the BMD dismissed rumours circulating on social media claiming that temperatures in Bangladesh could reach 55 degrees Celsius in 2026.
The department said it had not issued any such forecast and described the claims as false, misleading and intended to create panic. It also urged people not to pay attention to fake messages claiming to be official warnings about extreme heat, including false alerts predicting severe temperatures from late April to early June.
The BMD advised the public to rely only on its official weather updates available on its website.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
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