Workers bear the brunt as heatwave shows no signs of relenting

The relentless heatwave currently engulfing various divisions, including capital Dhaka and surrounding districts, shows no signs of relenting.
The working class, particularly day laborers and rickshaw pullers, bear the brunt of this oppressive weather.
In the capital and beyond, many laborers find themselves confined indoors, unable to withstand the blazing temperatures.
Throughout the city, people seek refuge under the shade of trees, desperately seeking relief from the scorching sun.
People, including children, flock to beverage vendors in search of cool refreshments to quench their thirst.
Ordinary people including the elderly and infirm are also significantly affected by the blistering heat, enduring considerable discomfort.
Amid the heatwave, beverage vendors and other drink shops experienced a surge in the sale of sherbet.
According to the met office, relief from the scorching heat is not expected until April 29, as the heatwave is forecasted to persist in the upcoming days.
On Tuesday, Dhaka registered a temperature of 38.4 degrees Celsius, while the country's highest temperature reached 40.4 degrees Celsius on the same day.
The met officials warn that people in the capital and across the nation should brace themselves for similar temperatures over the next two or three days.
The met office in its regular bulletin starting from 9am on Tuesday, said severe heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Chuadanga & Kushtia.
Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka, Rangpur and Barishal divisions and rest parts of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and the districts of Mymensingh, Moulvibazar and Rangamati and it may continue, it stated.
Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Sylhet division with hails at isolated places, it forecasted.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, it added.
Amid the scorching heatwave in Mohammadpur, 35-year-old rickshaw puller Habidullah expresses profound exhaustion while navigating the streets.
Unlike usual days, he struggles to maintain his pace, frequently succumbing to fatigue and an insatiable thirst for water.
Hailing from Jamalpur district and responsible for providing for his wife and children Habidullah lamented the inability to operate his rickshaw as efficiently as before.
Consequently, his daily earnings have plummeted, highlighting the profound impact of the relentless heatwave on his livelihood.
In the capital's Purana Paltan area, Shahin, a beverage vendor, notes a significant surge in his daily earnings amidst the blistering heat.
While he typically earns Tk 1000 on an average day, the scorching temperatures have driven crowds to his shop, resulting in sales ranging from Tk 2500 to Tk 3000 daily.
Md. Bazlur Rashid, a meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, forecasts a marginal increase in daytime temperatures and relatively stable nighttime temperatures across the nation until April 26.
He notes that discomfort may persist due to heightened moisture levels.
Additionally, Rashid anticipates the ongoing heatwave to persist throughout the remainder of the month, extending until April 30.

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