Attachments
Description of the Event
Date when the trigger was met
24-04-2024
What happened, where and when?
Based on data from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) dated 21 April 2024, a severe to very severe heatwave was sweeping across some districts of the country, while a mild to moderate heatwave was affecting most districts.
The BDRCS forecast monitoring report indicated that maximum temperatures had exceeded 38 degrees Celsius, with the heat index surpassing 38 for two or more consecutive days. Global forecasts from sources such as the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the Global Forecast System (GFS) predicted that temperatures would remain above 38 degrees for two or more consecutive days, along with high heat indices in Dhaka, starting from 21 April 2024, and likely continuing until 30 April 2024.
On 24 April 2024, a severe heatwave (≥40 degrees Celsius) was observed in the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jashore, and Patuakhali. On 26 April 2024, Bangladesh set an all-time heatwave record as the Meteorological Oce recorded 24 days of heatwave during April, surpassing the previous record of 23 days in 2019.
According to BMD data from 27 April 2024, a severe to very severe heatwave (≥40 degrees Celsius) was observed in the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Chuadanga, Natore, Chapai Nawabganj, Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Jashore, Meherpur, and Bogura. A moderate heatwave (38– 39.9 degrees Celsius) was sweeping over the districts of Bagerhat, Satkhira, Barguna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Jhalokathi, Bhola, Pirojpur, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Sirajganj, Tangail, Jamalpur, Thakurgaon, Joypurhat, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Faridpur, Madaripur, Magura, Manikganj, Rajbari, Gazipur, Gopalganj, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Naogaon, and Gaibandha.
According to the observed heatwave data, the most impacted divisions were Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur, Dhaka, and Barisal. The fluctuation between day and night temperatures was evident, and discomfort had increased due to moisture incursion.