Mercury has continued to rise, creating a suffocating situation in different parts of the country, including Dhaka.
At least seven people died of heatstroke in the country in last two days. Three of them died in Narsingdi, Sylhet and Meherpur on Sunday.
Amid the hot spell, Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to get ready for providing healthcare services to the people affected by heat wave.
“We have taken the decision so that elderly people and children can be admitted to hospitals if any crisis arises amid heat wave,” he said.
He also urged elderly people and children not to go outside unless urgent need to avoid heatstroke and other heat wave-related complications.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecasts that heat wave may continue till April-end while day temperature may rise by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius over Rangpur division and it may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere over the country.
“Very severe heat wave is sweeping Pabna, Jashore and Chuadanga districts and severe heat wave is sweeping Dhaka and parts of Khulna divisions and Rajshahi district,” said a bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Sunday.
The country’s highest temperature was recorded at 42.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga on Sunday while Dhaka experienced highest 38.2 degrees Celsius temperature (temperature recorded till 3 pm), according to Met Office.
Mild to moderate heat wave is also sweeping Barishal division and the rest part of Rajshahi division and the districts of Mymensingh, Moulvibazar, Feni, Cox’s Bazar, Chandpur and Rangamati and it may continue.
Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Mymensingh, Sylhet and Chattogram divisions with hails at isolated places, said the weather bulletin valid for next 24 hours from 9 am today.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
The Chuadanga district Disaster Management Committee in a meeting on Sunday suggested the mass people to stay home during the period from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Amid sweltering heat, the authorities of Dhaka University and Jagannath University have decided to hold classes online.
DU classes will be held online until further notice to avoid health risks due to severe heat wave sweeping the country but examinations will be held as usual, said a DU press release.
The university usually conducts 10 percent of its classes online but now all classes will be held virtually.
A notice issued by JnU said that classes and other activities of the university would be held online from April 22 to April 27 and examinations would not be held in person during that period.
On Saturday, the government decided to keep all schools, colleges, madrasas, and technical institutions across the country closed from April 21 to April 27 as the entire country is reeling under a severe heat wave.
On the same day, the National University authorities also suspended classes of all colleges under the university due to the ongoing heat wave.
Amid the sweltering heat, working class people are thronging roadside stalls for drinking juices, especially lemon one.
Despite health risks, they are taking such kinds of drinks to have some immediate relief.
“I am taking drink as I have been sweating while my throat is drying up,” said Ilias Ali, a rickshaw-puller.
Ali who pulls rickshaw in Old Town of the capital said he failed to take more trips due to intense heat.
“I cannot take more trips as air is burning fire. I have to take rest for a long time for taking another trip,” he added.
Besides, the demand for green coconut, pineapple and watermelon are also on the rise.