Chuadanga faces with an unyielding heatwave, persisting for 14 consecutive days. At 3 pm on Thursday, the mercury soared to 42.2 degrees Celsius, scorching roads and exacerbating water scarcity.
The intense heat has depleted water levels, leaving many villages parched and unable to irrigate fields, resulting in crop losses. Trees lining the roadsides wither under the harsh sun, while hospitals witness a surge in patients afflicted with heat-related ailments like diarrhea and respiratory issues.
Labourers and rickshaw-van drivers idle away in the sweltering heat, seeking respite beneath tree shades, as movement dwindles on the scorching streets. Despite the oppressive conditions, some brave the heat to sustain their livelihoods.
Rakibul Hasan, a senior observer at the Chuadanga Meteorological Office, reported a temperature of 33.3 degrees Celsius with 44 percent humidity at 9 am, rising to a scorching 42.2 degrees Celsius by afternoon, with humidity plummeting to 14 percent.
Jaminur Rahman, in charge of the Chuadanga meteorological observatory, issued a heat alert for the district, foreseeing temperatures ranging between 40 to 42.4 degrees Celsius throughout April, with a possibility of further escalation.
Dr. Kissinger Chakma, Chuadanga's Deputy Commissioner, emphasized adherence to the heat alert, stressing the need for immediate attention to agriculture and livestock welfare. Precautionary measures are underway in accordance with Meteorological Department guidance to mitigate the impacts of the prolonged heatwave.