C T Online Desk: On Tuesday, the temperature increased to 43.7 °C in Chuadanga. On 21 May 2014, Chuadanga recorded a 43.2 °C temperature.
The second-highest temperature in the country’s history since 1972 was recorded at 43.8 °C in Jashore on Tuesday amid the prolonged heatwave.
The sweltering heat of the subtropical climate has been affecting vast swathes of the country, resulting in heat-related death and sickness, closure of schools, and disruption of agriculture, livestock, aquaculture, etc.
Since 31 March, media have reported 50 deaths from heatstroke across the country.
The prolonged heatwave has been continuing for the last 31 days and may persist for two more days.
According to the Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 11 people died from heatstroke and 16 others were hospitalised in the country between 22 and 30 April.
The actual number of heatstroke patients might be higher than the government’s number as the DGHS counts patients from public hospitals only.
Dr Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, meteorologist of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said Jashore registered the second-highest temperature at 43.8 °C since independence.
The highest recorded temperature since independence was 45.1 degrees Celsius on 18 May 1972.
On Monday, the highest temperature in the country was recorded at 43 °C in Chuadanga.
On Tuesday, the temperature increased to 43.7 °C in Chuadanga. On 21 May 2014, Chuadanga recorded a 43.2 °C temperature.
On 17 April 2023, the country’s highest temperature was recorded at 43 °C in Ishwardi, Pabna. The same temperature was also recorded in 1995 and 2002.The highest temperature in Dhaka city was recorded at 38.6 °C on Tuesday, according to the BMD.
A “very severe” heat wave was sweeping over the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, Pabna, Rajshahi, Bagerghat and Satkhira, according to the BMD.
A “severe” heat wave was sweeping over Tangail, Faridpur, Gopalgonj, Narayangonj, Sirajgonj, Dinajpur and Khuln and a “mild” to “moderate” heat wave was sweeping elsewhere over the country and it may continue. Due to the increase in moisture incursion, the discomfort may persist.
The severity of the prevailing heat wave may decrease and it may abate from some places over the eastern part of the country from 2 May, said BMD meteorologists.
Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and one or two places over Dhaka and Barishal divisions with hails at some places on Thursday, according to the BMD.
Day temperature may fall by (1-2)°C over the eastern part and may fall slightly elsewhere over the country.
Night temperature may fall by (1-2)°C over the eastern part and it may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere in the country.
2 died on Tuesday
In Munshiganj, two elderly people have died after falling sick due to the extreme heat.
The deceased was Omar Ali, 65, of the Mollar Char area, and Abdul Baten Majhi, 68, of the Manikpur area of the district.
