Dhaka swelters under record temperature
April 26, 2009
The capital Dhaka clocked a new temperature record for 14 years when the mercury shot up to 38.5 degree Celsius Friday. The last time, the temperature touched this point was on April 24, 1995. Like the capital, the whole country is simmering under a heat wave. Met experts said there is no chance of kalbaishakhi storm in the next two to three days, negating any chance of a cool-down. Met office sources said the current average temperature is 5 degree Celsius higher than normal across the country.
For example, the temperature of the capital on Friday was 38.5 degree Celsius although April’s average temperature is 33.7 degree Celsius.
A similar thing has happened for the lowest temperature. Dhaka’s lowest temperature was recorded at 26.8 degree Celsius on Saturday while the normal lowest temperature of this time is 23.6 degree Celsius.
At the same time, humidity has gone down. It decreased to below 20 percent yesterday afternoon.
Weather experts said the temperature of the capital crossed 38.5 degree Celsius only four times in the last 55 years. It was 38.7 degree Celsius in 1988, 38.9 in 1976 and 39.8 degree Celsius in 1966.
The highest temperature of the capital was recorded in 1960 when the mercury hit 42.3 degree Celsius.
The highest temperature of the country was recorded yesterday at Jessore, which was 41.6 degree Celsius.
Met expert Sadekul Alam said heat wave is normal in April. He said Bangladesh witnesses at least 10 kalbaishakhi storms between March and May.
Source: The Daily Star
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