The country today recorded highest temperature of this year amid a prediction that the prevailing medium to low heatwave may turn to a severe heatwave. 

The temperature in Dhaka reached 40.2ºC today, the highest recorded in the capital so far this year.

Khalilur Rahman, meteorological assistant at Bangladesh Meteorological Department, confirmed the news to The Daily Star.

He also said the mercury climbed to 41.7ºC in Chuadanga, which was the highest recorded so far this year.

The temperatures were recorded at 3:00pm today, he added.

The record temperatures come as a meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Thursday said the country was likely to witness a severe heatwave starting from Friday or Saturday.

Currently, a mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over all divisions of the country except Rangpur, according to a BMD bulletin yesterday.

"A severe heatwave is likely to continue till April 16," Md Bazlur Rashid, meteorologist of BMD, told The Daily Star.

He said the weather may return to normal after that.

The meteorologist also said that as the humidity is low, the heat feels intolerable this year, but humidity will also increase from April 16.

A heatwave occurs when the daily maximum temperature tops 36ºC over a large area and it is classified into three categories based on temperature -- mild, moderate, and severe.

According to BMD, a mild heatwave occurs when the temperature is between 36 to 37.9ºC, moderate between 38ºC and 39.9ºC, and severe heatwave happens when the temperature is 40ºC and above.