Bangladesh to witness heavy rainfall with thunderstorms from May 6: BMD

Although some parts of Bangladesh experienced light to moderate rainfall, the Met Office forecasted heavy rainfall with thundershowers between May 6 and 11 across the country. 

"Analysing mathematical model of rainfall index, Bangladesh is likely to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorm from May 6 . . . after the prolonged heatwave, the most welcoming rainfall is expected to bring some respite from the intense heat that battered the entire country since April 1," said BMD meteorologist Dr Abul Kalam Mallik today. 

Northeastern, central parts including Sylhet division and some parts of Mymensingh and Dhaka division are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall between May 6 and 11 simultaneously south-western and north-western regions will witness rainfall with thunderstorms, he added.

Mallik warned people to stay outdoors during the hailstorm as the intensity of hailstorms is increasing accompanied by frequent lightning impacted by climate change, which are largely responsible for casualties. 

The meteorologist attributed uncomfortable feelings of unbearable hot weather to high humidity persisting in the air during the afternoon and evening period suggesting avoiding movement between 12 noon to 4 pm as the sunlight is getting too hot as it (the Sun) provides sunlight vertically with intense heat. 

"Normally we record temperature from the air," Mallik said adding that the highest temperature was found between 12 noon and 4 pm because of the vertical position of the Sun. 

Analysing humidity indexes, Mallik continued, "There is a close relation of temperature and humidity . . . discomfort feelings will increase if high humidity persists in the air with high temperature.

"Although temperature decreases after 4 pm, we feel very hot weather due to high humidity," he added. 
 
The Met Office today recorded 39.5 degrees Celsius at Rajshahi while the temperature in Dhaka was recorded at 36.9 degrees Celsius but the high humidity has exposed the residents to massive discomfort.

The BMD official said the country witnessed the longest duration of the heatwave for the past 32 days since April 1 and the met office warned the 
the phenomenon would continue throughout the next month.

"But unlike the previous heatwaves, this year it spread all over the country," commented meteorologist Abul Kalam Mollik, who was supported by Zebunnesa as well. 

Visibly for the first time, the meteorologists acknowledged that the climate change phenomenon caused the erratic weather pattern with gradually expanding areas of heatwave, joining the voice of the climate experts and activists.

"Maximum temperature in the country started falling on average one or two degrees Celsius from May, the Met Office said predicting temperature may dip more from May 6 as almost all parts of the country may witness much-awaited rainfall, " Md Omar Faruq, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said. 

Large swaths of Khulna and Rajshahi divisions are sweltering through a heatwave as the Met Office logged the highest temperature above 40 degrees Celsius in most stations located in the two divisions since April 1, Omar said predicted rains are likely to occur in different areas of the two divisions. 

A national guideline on heat-related illnesses will be launched on Sunday (May 5, 2024) to protect children and vulnerable populations including pregnant women from heat-related health risks, Additional Director General (ADG) of the Directorate General of Health Service Dr Ahmed Kabir said today. 

"This is a comprehensive guideline incorporating all aspects related to illness caused by the heatwave," he said adding the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Bangladesh, with UNICEF's support, will launch the national guideline to make the people aware of the adverse impact of a heatwave. 

This national guideline, developed in collaboration with experts from health and other sectors, provides a comprehensive framework for responding effectively to heat-related health risks, Kabir said. 

The DGHS ADG attributed the prolonged heatwave, which has swept through nearly the entire country, to the adverse effects of global climate change, unplanned urbanization, and deforestation.

"Bangladesh recorded average temperature 40 degree Celsius . . . but we feel severely uncomfortable as like as temperature nearly 50 degrees Celsius," Kabir said, adding this is happening because of inadequate number of trees, unplanned urbanizations and excessive use of air-conditioning."

Considering all these matters, the DGHS along with UNICEF is going to launch a comprehensive guideline to face the ongoing heatwave and future heatwave-related disasters. 

UNICEF has been a proud supporter of this initiative, working closely with DGHS to ensure the development of the guidelines and the training of healthcare professionals across hospitals and health centres.