Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a 72-hour nationwide heat alert from Friday saying that the ongoing heatwave is expected to continue in most parts of the country.

The heat wave sweeping over the country may continue and increase further during the 72 hours starting from 19 April, said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in a heat alert message on Friday morning.

The discomfort suffered by people amid the scorching heat may also increase due to an increase in moisture incursion, it said.

The highest temperature – 41.3 degrees Celsius – in the country on Friday was recorded in Chuadanga. On Thursday, the highest temperature – 40.4 degrees Celsius – was recorded in Jashore and Chuadanga.

The temperature in Dhaka city was 38 degrees Celsius on Friday, while it was 36.8 degrees Celsius on the previous day, said Hafizur Rahman, a meteorologist of BMD.

The current temperature may continue for two to three more days and temperature may slightly increase in different places of the country, he said.

A severe heat wave is sweeping over Bagehot, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia districts, said sources.

A mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions and Dinajpur, Rangamati, Chandpur, Khulna, Satkhira, Barishal and Patuakhali districts and it may continue.

Day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged all over the country, said sources.

According to official statistics, high temperatures during the current protracted heat wave, prevailing since the first week of April, have aggravated the commoners’ plight.

Amid the stifling temperatures, city-dwellers opted to stay indoors during the daytime. They also tried to avoid sunbeams and used proper protection like sunglasses, umbrellas and caps while going out in the heat of the day.

However, power outages in villages have multiplied the suffering of the people living in rural areas.

The searing heat of the subtropical climate has been affecting the vast swathes of the country, resulting in heat-related sickness and prompting people to get admitted into hospitals.

The drastic change in weather since last week has triggered illnesses, weakness and fatigue caused by dehydration in many people.