Intense Heat Leaves Public Life Miserable, Relief Likely After June 5

Although the mercury in the capital has not yet breached historical maximum records, a suffocating combination of high ambient temperatures and extreme humidity has left public life utterly miserable. Even with thermometers hovering around 36°C, the actual heat index felt by the human body is exceeding 42°C, making simple outdoor movement feel like stepping into an oven. Commuters are drenched in sweat within minutes, while shade and cool breezes have become a rare luxury across the metropolis.

Meteorologists Predict Continued Scorch with Gradual Relief

Speaking on the prevailing weather gridlock, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) meteorologist Dr. Md. Omar Faruque provided crucial updates. He stated that the intense heat presently smothering Dhaka and several other regions is highly likely to persist for the next one to two days before any noticeable cooling begins.

While light, localized, and transient showers might occur in the interim, they will do little to break the heatwave. However, a comparatively higher volume of rainfall is expected within the next 48 hours, which will finally help drag temperatures down.

Dr. Faruque specifically pointed out that temperatures are unlikely to drop significantly over the next couple of days. Instead, the intensity of the sweltering heat is expected to gradually decrease across the country, including Dhaka, only after June 5. Until then, weather conditions in the capital will largely oscillate around current levels.

Squalls and Isolated Heavy Showers Forecasted Elsewhere

In tandem with the heatwave warning, the meteorological department has issued inland riverine advisories due to volatile atmospheric configurations. Transient squally winds and thundershowers, clocking speeds between 45 to 60 km/h from the west or north-west, are expected to sweep over Mymensingh, Comilla, Noakhali, Chittagong, and Sylhet. Consequently, river ports in these specific zones have been instructed to hoist Cautionary Signal Number 1.

According to the broader national forecast valid until Wednesday evening, light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds and lightning are predicted at a few places over Mymensingh, Chittagong, and Sylhet divisions, and at one or two isolated spots over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barisal divisions. Furthermore, isolated pockets within Mymensingh, Chittagong, and Sylhet may experience moderately heavy downpours.

Despite these isolated wet spells, day and night temperatures across the country are projected to remain mostly unchanged for now. A mild to moderate heatwave will continue to sweep over the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna, as well as the districts of Dhaka, Narayanganj, Tangail, Faridpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Manikganj, Mymensingh, Chandpur, Noakhali, Brahmanbaria, Lakshmipur, Barisal, Patuakhali, and Bhola.