Bangladesh faces longest, hottest spell on record

The ongoing heatwave spell sweeping across the country since early April is the longest-running one in Bangladesh's history, meteorologists said on Friday.

"This is the first time Bangladesh has experienced a heatwave [spell] lasting for 26 consecutive days since we began recording them in 1948," Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, a meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), told The Business Standard.

Mallik said various regions in Bangladesh have experienced extended heatwaves in April previously, such as Chuadanga's 23-day heatwave in 2019 with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius.

The current heatwave, however, has surpassed all previous records in both duration and geographical coverage.

"This heatwave has spread to over 75% of the country, impacting more than 50 districts. This scale is unprecedented. In contrast, the previous high was 23 consecutive days in Chuadanga during April 2019, and 16 days in April 2023, both with lower temperature ranges," Abul Kalam, a researcher specialising in heatwaves, said.

He further noted that Jashore has recorded the most heatwave days in the past 43 years, followed by Dhaka and Chuadanga.

Meteorologists attribute the lengthening and intensifying heatwaves to global warming and climate change. While Bangladesh has experienced heatwaves in the past, their duration was significantly shorter and caused less disruption. Experts warn that the extent and duration of heatwaves are likely to increase in the coming years.

No nationwide rain forecasted before 3 May

Meteorologists and weather experts warn that there is no likelihood of nationwide rain before 3 May. Most areas of Bangladesh can expect to face the ongoing heatwave until 2 May.

Additionally, there is a high possibility of record-breaking temperatures in Bangladesh on either 29 or 30 April.

Mostofa Kamal Palash, a weather and climate researcher at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, told TBS, "There is a strong concern that the current heatwave affecting Bangladesh and India's West Bengal, will persist until 2 May. The possibility of Bangladesh experiencing record-breaking high temperatures is very high at this time. Districts most likely to be affected include Chuadanga, Meherpur, Jashore, Pabna, Rajshahi, and Chapainawabganj."

"If primary and secondary schools reopen before 2 May, children and adolescents will be particularly vulnerable to heatstroke fatalities," he said.

He further said, "Based on current forecasts from American weather models, there is no chance of significant rainfall before 3 May. During this period, only a few districts, including Sylhet, may experience light rain. However, this will not offer significant relief from the heat. A low-pressure system forming in the west is expected to bring rain to several parts of the country then."

The India Meteorological Department also issued a heatwave forecast on Friday, warning that the heatwave will continue in West Bengal and eastern states until 30 April.

Chuadanga records highest temperature of the season

The western district of Chuadanga once again recorded the highest temperature of the year on Friday, reaching a scorching 42.7 degrees Celsius.

This surpasses the previous record of 42.6 degrees Celsius set in Jashore on 20 April.  Meteorologists warn that temperatures may rise further by 30 April as the severe heatwave continues to grip the country.

According to BMD data, Chuadanga also held the record for the highest temperature on 20 April of last year, reaching 42.8 degrees Celsius.

The unrelenting heat has tragically claimed the lives of at least 30 people nationwide in recent weeks, including two fatalities in Chuadanga, based on data compiled by The Business Standard from various media reports.

On Friday, other districts also experienced extreme heat: Rajshahi and Pabna both reached 42.4 degrees Celsius, while Jashore recorded a high of 40.8 degrees Celsius and Dhaka peaked at 38.2 degrees Celsius.

Md Shaheenul Islam, a meteorologist with the BMD, told TBS that localised rain clouds will not offer immediate relief from the intense heat.

"Light rain will not alleviate the intense heat. However, the possibility of major thunderstorms, with heavy rain and storms in regions like Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur, and Dhaka, could help reduce the heat," he said