The prevailing moderate to severe heat wave accompanied by high humidity may prolong at least for two more days across the country, said officials of metrological department.
At present, the moderate to severe heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barisal divisions and the regions of Sandwip, Rangamati, Comilla, Chandpur, M.court, Feni and Hatiya, while mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Rangpur, Syhlet and Chittagong divisions.
Although only rains could bring respite from the ongoing scorching heat, the probability of shower is very little to cool down the rising temperature to normal level, as monsoon is still far, the officials said yesterday.
They said the south and southwesterly wind is blowing at a speed of 8015 kph, which is too weak to drive away partly cloud from the sky. With this symptom, the temperature may also rise slightly over the country to cause suffocating atmosphere for city dwellers.
The country’s highest temperature was recorded 40 degree Celsius at southeastern hilly locality Rangamati Sunday, which was the highest temperature in this summer season.
On the other hand, Dhaka’s highest temperature was recorded 38.5 degree Celsius yesterday noon while the minimum was 26.0 degrees Celsius. Met office officials said the day temperature is likely to rise slightly over the area as the possibility of rainfall is nil.
“The possibility of rain is almost nil in the next few days. We think, the prevailing heat wave may continue a few more days. We are expecting shower at the end of this week,” Sanaul Hoque, senior mythologist, Department of Metrology said.
He said, “At that time, the temperature is likely to rise day by day and may reach at 42 degrees Celsius. Besides, the sky may remain temporary partly cloudy and weather may remain dry over the country… After the scorching heat, the first pre-monsoon rain-spell will start. But it is not sure when the monsoon will come to cool down the temperature.”
Detailing the reason behind increasing heat, he said: The air remains hot and dry during the daytime with increase in the temperature at night as well. Besides, the lack of moisture in the air prevented the ground from becoming cold even at night.
According to Met Office, the moderate to severe heat wave is sweeping over the regions of Sandwip, Rangamati, Comilla, Chandpur, M. court, Feni and Hatiya under the Chittagong division and mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over the rest part of the area. It may continue. The maximum temperature of Chittagong city was recorded 35.5°C while the minimum temperature was 25.3°C.
In Rajshahi, the moderate to severe heat wave is sweeping over the area and it may continue. The maximum temperature of Rajshahi city was recorded 39.4°C yesterday and the minimum temperature was 23.1°C.
In Rangpur, moderate heat wave is sweeping over the area. Yesterday’s maximum temperature of Rangpur city was recorded 36.0°C while the minimum was 22.4°C.
In Khulna, the moderate to severe heat wave is sweeping over the area and it may continue. The maximum temperature of Khulna city was recorded 40.0°C yesterday and minimum temperature was 24.4°C.
In Barisal, moderate to severe heat wave is sweeping over the area and it may continue. The maximum temperature of Barisal city was 39.0°C while the minimum was 25.2°C.
In Sylhet, the mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over the area and it may continue. Yesterday’s maximum temperature of Sylhet city was 37.8°C and minimum temperature was 23.3°C.
Meanwhile, the number of diarrhoea patients is increasing day by day while at least 25 persons, mostly children, reportedly died from diarrhoeal diseases in the current summer season. “Several patients have been admitted in the hospital everyday. Of them some patients had been brought to the ICDDR,B after they had already died on the way to the hospital,” said Dr Azharul Islam Khan, chief physician and head of diarrhoeal diseases unit, ICDDRB, Hospital.
Expressing his concern, the physician said the people must take oral saline as soon as identifying diarrhoeal symptoms and if saline fails to improve the patient’s condition, they must be taken to the nearest hospital without wasting any time. The number of patients at ICDDR,B was 400 in March, but over 450 patients have been admitted till April 20 – the highest recorded so far this year.
Apart from it, the prolonged electricity load shedding forcing many people to pass a suffocating time, has aggravated the prevailing hot spell. Particularly, the sufferings of students knew no bound due to sultry weather while the office goers and the commuters have been facing serious hardships in their respective workplaces due to the persisting heat.
