Mercury to go further up

A mild heat wave is sweeping across Dhaka and Khulna divisions along with the regions of Rajshahi, Pabna, Chandpur, and Barisal. According to an official of Bangladesh Meteorological department, this may continue for two or three more days.

The day temperature may rise slightly and night-time temperature may remain nearly unchanged all over the country, a Met office bulletin said.

Rain and thunder showers accompanied by gusty winds are likely to occur in one or two places over Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions. The weather may remain mainly dry with partly cloudy skies elsewhere over the country for the next 24 hours from 6:00pm.

 The country's highest temperature yesterday was recorded at 38 degree Celsius at Jessore and Khulna and a minimum temperature of 21 degree Celsius was recorded at Rangpur.

Amidst the sweltering heat, people in the capital could be seen consuming various refreshments from roadside makeshift shops in hopes of gaining some relief.

A renowned medicine specialist of the country, Prof Dr ABM Abdullah, said increasing presence of high humidity in the air was causing different kinds of diseases including viral fever and dysentery.

“There is a high possibility for children and elderly people to contract these diseases,” Prof Abdullah, also the dean of Faculty of Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, said. Labourers who are working in this severe hot weather may suffer heat stroke, he said.

He advised people to stay hydrated, avoid roadside drinks and food, use mosquito nets at home and keep their surroundings clean.

He also advised the people to consult a doctor if anyone has been suffering from fever for more than three days.