Extreme heatwave causes immense sufferings to the people Rajshahi and its adjacent districts Natore, Chapainawabganj and Naogaon.
During the noon, the temperature was around 41 degrees Celsius for the last seven days. A heat alert has been announced throughout Rajshahi. The people of the region were advised not to come out of their houses during the hot weather except any emergencies.
The continuous heat has also affected the animals and birds in the area. The production of mangoes, lychees and other crops in the field are also being hampered due to extremely hot weather.
A heatwave has been experienced in Rajshahi since last Monday with the highest day temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius (Monday). On Tuesday, the highest temperature was recorded 39.2 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi. The day temperature has been fluctuating from 40 to 41 degrees Celsius for last few days.
With the increased temperature, the level of underground water reservoirs is also dropping alarmingly in the Barind region. Day labourers and farmers of the region are the worst sufferers due to the shortages of water.
The normal life of the people of this region has been disrupted due to the heatwave. People were desperately waiting for rain. The heat-related diseases are also increasing in Rajshahi city and its adjacent areas. Special prayers were offered in many places of the district seeking divine intervention to get relief from the continuing heatwave.
Red Crescent Society was making the people alert about the heatwave through loudspeakers in the city and the district towns.
Latif Helen, Senior Monitoring Officer of the Rajshahi Meteorology Office said the temperature reached to 41.5 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi which was the highest-ever record of this season. Earlier on April 7, 2023, the highest temperature was 42.6 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi which was the highest recorded temperature in nine years.
Rajshahi Meteorological Office sources further said there is no possibility of rainfall soon. The day temperature would continue as high as around 40 degrees Celsius or even more.