Heat wave to persist across the country for more days
FE REPORT | Tuesday, 16 April 2024
The scorching heat wave persisted across the country on Monday, triggering suffering among the people, and it may continue for the next several days.
According to the latest bulletin from the Meteorological Department at 6:00 pm, isolated spots in three divisions may experience light rainfall within the next twenty-four hours, but the rest of the nation will remain dry.
Since the last week of March, the relentless heat has gripped the nation, showing no signs of receding.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) announced on Monday morning that this heat wave could extend for another five to six days.
Moreover, the humidity in the air might exacerbate the sensation of heat.
Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, along with Rangpur and Nilphamari districts, are currently under the grip of a mild to moderate heat wave, likely to persist.
Additionally, sporadic rain and thunder showers, accompanied by gusty winds, might occur in Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with hail in isolated areas.
Elsewhere in the country, the weather is expected to remain dry with occasional cloud cover, said the Met office.
The prevailing heat wave conditions are anticipated to continue for the next three days, with daytime and nighttime temperatures remaining relatively unchanged.
Meteorologist Dr Sadequl Alam told to the FE that the ongoing heat wave shows no signs of relenting across various regions of the country.
Despite a lack of significant rainfall in the past twelve hours, he suggested that sporadic showers expected in the next 24 hours might offer little respite from the heat.
The intensity of a heat wave is categorised based on temperature ranges: 36 to 37.9 degrees Celsius constitutes a mild heat wave, 38 to 39.9 degrees Celsius is considered moderate, and 40 to 41.9 degrees Celsius qualifies as severe. Any temperature surpassing 42 degrees Celsius is deemed extremely intense.
Monday's report indicated Rangamati recorded the highest temperature in the country at 40 degrees Celsius, with the capital experiencing a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius.
Khulna, Rajshahi, and Rangpur divisions also reported temperatures ranging from 36 to 39 degrees Celsius on Monday, according to the meteorological office.