breathless heat in Chuadanga, maximum temperature 39.5 degrees Celsius

The moderate heat wave sweeping through Chuadanga has caused extreme suffering to the public. On Wednesday (April 23), at 3 pm, the highest temperature was recorded at 39.5 degrees Celsius at the first-class meteorological observatory located in Hatkaluganj in the municipal area. The humidity in the air was only 28 percent.

A day earlier, on Tuesday (April 22), the temperature in the district was 36.3 degrees Celsius and the humidity in the air was 61 percent. That is, the temperature has increased by 3.2 degrees and the humidity has decreased by 33 percent in a single day.

According to the meteorological office, this is the second highest temperature in the district this season. Earlier, 39.8 degrees Celsius was recorded on March 28. Officer-in-charge of the meteorological observatory, Jaminur Rahman, said that the temperature may increase further on Thursday and Friday. However, some relief may be available from April 27.

The heat wave has started in the district since March 14 this season. After that, mild and moderate heat waves swept over the district one after another. According to the Meteorological Office, 36 to 37.9 degrees is considered mild and 38 to 39.9 degrees is considered moderate heat waves. Accordingly, there were at least 11 heat waves in March-April, of which eight days were mild and three days were moderate.

The heat wave is severely disrupting the lives of ordinary people. The roads are almost empty during the day. There are fewer customers in the shops of the city, and business has collapsed. Khairul Islam, a cloth seller in Hatkaluganj Bazar, said, “More people from the village come during the day. Now no one comes due to the heat. They are spending time sitting.”

Meanwhile, farmers in the fields are also in trouble. There is a labor shortage during the harvest season. Due to high demand, workers are taking double wages. Abul Kashem, a farmer in Boalmari field in Sadar Upazila, said, “I can’t stay in the sun. Still, I have to come to the fields. Workers who earn 400 taka are now asking for 700-800 taka, and that is not enough.”

Abul Kashem, who is working in the scorching sun, has to take shelter under a canopy during irrigation in Kachukhe. He said he is trying to get some relief by splashing water on his face and eyes in the sun.

There is growing concern among the public about when the ongoing heat wave will end. The Meteorological Department says that the temperature may decrease slightly after April 27, but there is a risk of the heat wave intensifying before then.