Cox’s Bazar has been experiencing intense heat over the past week, making life difficult for residents across the district.
Day laborers, agricultural workers, rickshaw pullers, and other low-income workers have been suffering the most, as the scorching sun and humidity make outdoor work increasingly unbearable.
The Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office has warned that the current weather conditions may continue for another three to four days. The office also said that although the sky may remain cloudy, it is unlikely to bring significant relief from the heat.
Assistant meteorologist Abdul Hannan of the Cox’s Bazar Meteorological Office said that although April is generally considered the hottest month in Bangladesh, May feels hotter in Cox’s Bazar due to high humidity.
He said that the temperature in the district had remained between 34.8 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius over the past several days, while humidity levels ranged from 65 to 70 per cent.
As a result, the heat index or perceived temperature has become much higher than the actual temperature, causing severe discomfort among people, he added.
Abdul Hannan said that the maximum temperature recorded on the previous day was 34.8 degrees Celsius and could exceed 35 degrees Celsius today.
He added that such weather conditions might persist for another three to four days, after which rainfall could occur.
He also said that the sky might remain partly cloudy in the coming days, but the high level of moisture in the air would prevent the clouds from effectively reducing the heat. Instead, the humid conditions could make the weather feel even more uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, doctors have advised people to remain cautious during the ongoing heatwave. They urged residents to avoid going outdoors unnecessarily, drink plenty of water, and use umbrellas or other protective measures if they must go outside during the daytime.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
