Bangladesh boils in longest heatwave

The relentless heatwave searing Bangladesh has become the longest on record, continuing for 24 days while meteorologists warn it is unlikely to relent anytime soon. The extreme heat reached the first threshold of mild to moderate heatwave on Mar 31 for the first time this season. Temperatures slightly lowered below the threshold on Apr 9 and 10 and then continued without a break. “We experience heatwaves in April every year, but its longevity is greater this time,” said meteorologist Shahnaz Sultana. The previous longest heatwave was recorded for 23 days in 2019. Last year, people suffered from heatwaves for 18 days. “The heatwave this year may prolong further,” meteorologist Abul Kalam Mallik said.On Thursday, southeastern districts of Jashore and Chuadanga again reached the very severe level of heatwave with 42.4 and 42.2 degrees Celsius temperatures, respectively. The highest temperature in Dhaka was 39.1 degrees Celsius. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the level of the heatwave was sever in the rest of Khulna Division and the districts of Tangail, Faridpur, Gopalgonj, Manikgonj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Dinajpur and Sayedpur. It was mild to moderate in Barishal Division and the districts of Dhaka, Madaripur, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, Bagura, Naogaon, Sirajgonj, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Kurigram, Panchagarh, Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Feni, Bandarban and Noakhali. Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country on Friday while an increase in humidity will keep causing discomfort. Temperatures may ease slightly after rains in the northeastern region in the middle of next week. POWER SUBSTATION IN FLAMES A power substation in Gazipur caught fire triggered by what the authorities believe excessive heat. The fire broke out at the Rural Electric Cooperative Association substation at Konabari with a loud sound around 4:30pm. Although no casualties were reported, the fire generated plenty of smoke.The workers called the Fire Service and Civil Defence after their failed bid to tame the fire, said Kamal Hossain, deputy general manager at the substation. The fire may have started from excessive heat and it has damaged a power transformer, Kamal said. Firefighters on two fire trucks brought the flames under control in half an hour, said Saiful Islam, a warehouse inspector of the Fire Service.
Published on: 2024-04-25 23:25:58.225728 +0200 CEST