Heatwave grips four districts as rainfall stays below normal

A mild heatwave swept across four districts of Bangladesh on Saturday as below-normal rainfall pushed temperatures higher, with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecasting the hot conditions to persist through the day before rain is expected to increase from Sunday.

The heatwave affected Rajshahi, Pabna, Jashore and Khulna on Friday. Jashore recorded the country's highest temperature at 36.6 degrees Celsius, while Dhaka registered 35.6 degrees Celsius. In Bangladesh, a temperature of 36 degrees Celsius or above is classified as a heatwave.

Meteorologist Md Hafizur Rahman of the BMD said heatwave conditions could continue in parts of the country on Saturday as rainfall is likely to remain limited.

"The current hot weather may persist today due to low rainfall. However, rainfall is expected to increase from Sunday, which may bring temperatures down," he said.

Despite the prevailing hot weather, the Met Office forecast rain in many places across Sylhet, Mymensingh and Chattogram divisions on Saturday.

Sylhet recorded the country's highest rainfall on Friday at 58 millimetres, according to the BMD.

The southwest monsoon entered Bangladesh at least seven days later than its normal onset this month. Although its arrival brought rainfall to different parts of the country, precipitation has remained below expected seasonal levels.

The Met Office said monsoon rainfall does not occur continuously throughout the season, and short spells of hot weather are common. However, this year's rainfall has so far been comparatively lower, contributing to rising temperatures across several parts of the country.