Heatwave sweeps 48 districts, night temperatures fail to bring relief

A mild to moderate heatwave is currently affecting at least 48 districts across Bangladesh, including the capital Dhaka, leaving people struggling with extreme discomfort both during the day and night.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said on Thursday (June 4) that Dhaka recorded a maximum temperature of 36.8°C and a minimum of 29.1°C, narrowing the day-night temperature gap to just 7.7°C—well below the seasonal average.

Meteorologists say the unusually small temperature difference is preventing any meaningful relief at night, with high humidity further intensifying the discomfort as sweat evaporation slows down.

On the same day, Dinajpur recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Sylhet saw a low of 23.5°C. However, most regions continue to experience above-normal nighttime temperatures, worsening public hardship.

The weather office attributed the prolonged heatwave to a delay in the onset of the monsoon system, adding that no significant improvement is expected before Saturday.

Experts have warned that the ongoing conditions pose heightened health risks for children, the elderly, and outdoor workers, while also noting that climate change could intensify such heat events in the future.