DHAKA, Apr 03 (V7N) — A blistering heatwave is sweeping across Bangladesh this Chaitra, with temperatures soaring to a season-high of 39.7°C in the frontier district of Chuadanga today. While the official reading hit nearly 40°C, residents report that the "real-feel" temperature is significantly higher due to high humidity and a scorching hot wind.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) confirmed on Friday that a mild to moderate heatwave is currently blowing over the Rajshahi and Khulna divisions, leaving public life in a state of exhaustion during the weekend holiday.

Regional Temperature Highlights

The mercury has been rising steadily over the past 48 hours, with several districts recording intense heat:

  • Chuadanga: 39.7°C (Highest in the country today).

  • Rajshahi: 38.5°C.

  • Jessore/Kushtia: Averaging 38.2°C.

  • Dhaka: Recorded at 36.4°C, though the urban "heat island" effect makes it feel much more oppressive.

Impact on Public Life

The extreme weather has brought a somber tone to the Friday holiday:

  • Deserted Streets: Most residents in the affected divisions remained indoors, with a noticeable lack of rickshaws and private vehicles on the roads compared to typical weekends.

  • Vulnerable Groups: Manual laborers and daily wage earners—including rickshaw pullers and construction workers—are the most severely affected. Many reported being unable to work during the peak sun hours (12:00 PM to 4:00 PM), directly impacting their daily earnings.

  • Health Risks: Doctors at local Upazila Health Complexes have issued warnings regarding heatstroke and dehydration, urging citizens to drink plenty of saline water and avoid direct sun exposure.

Connection to the Energy Crisis

The timing of the heatwave is particularly challenging given the ongoing national fuel and power crisis.

  • Irrigation Demand: As Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud noted in Parliament yesterday, electricity demand for irrigation is peaking at 5,000 MW.

  • Load Shedding: With the surge in demand for fans and air conditioning due to the heat, several rural areas in Khulna and Rajshahi have reported frequent power outages, further compounding the misery of residents.

  • LPG & Fuel Prices: The recent Tk 378 hike in LPG and the record 55% fuel price surge in neighboring Pakistan have added to the economic "heat" felt by families trying to manage their cooling and cooking costs.

Weather Forecast

The Meteorological Department warns that there is no immediate sign of "Kalbaishakhi" (Nor'wester) rains to provide relief. The heatwave is expected to persist for at least the next three to four days, with the possibility of temperatures crossing the 40°C mark in western districts.

END/SMA/AJ