A severe heatwave has been impacting Khulna for several days, causing significant hardship, particularly for day labourers who must continue to work in extreme temperatures to support their families. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued a 72-hour heat alert starting Thursday, as temperatures soared. On Thursday, the Met Office recorded a temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga and Jashore districts, with Chuadanga hitting a record 42.7 degrees Celsius on Friday. According to the BMD, this intense heatwave is expected to persist for a few more days. In Khulna, the extreme heat has confined many to their homes. However, those who rely on daily wages, such as construction workers and rickshaw pullers, have no choice but to face the brutal temperatures to earn a living. Bangladesh Poultry Association: 1 lakh birds dying every day due to heatwave Nazrul Islam Hawladar, a 55-year-old road construction worker in the Mujgunni area of Khulna city, expressed the dire necessity of working despite the risk. "I am the sole provider for my nine-member family. Staying at home means not feeding my family," he stated. Similarly, Abdul Quader, a 55-year-old day labourer who lives in a slum with his family, shared his struggle, "After working for a while, I get exhausted, but I still have to work to manage food for my family." Bilkis Begum, another day labourer, succinctly captured the sentiment of many, saying, "What will I eat if I don't work? So I am forced to work in this heat." The elderly also suffer disproportionately. Abdul Quader, a 65-year-old rickshaw puller, remarked on the unprecedented nature of the heat. "I have never felt so hot in my life. I can't stay in the sun for a long time," he said, noting his earnings have plummeted to between Tk 200-300 per day due to the heat. Secondary schools, colleges to reopen April 28 amid heat wave Mezbah, a construction worker, echoed these hardships, "Working amid sweltering heat is not easy, but there is no alternative. If I do not work, what would I eat?" According to the BMD on Friday, a very severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Chuadanga and Pabna and a severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Tangail, Bogura, Bagerhat, Jashore and Kushtia. Mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over parts of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and the divisions of Rangpur, Mymensingh and Barishal and the districts of Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and Bandarban and it may continue, the BMD said. Read more: How to Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Stroke

A severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Naogaon, Nilphamari and Dinajpur and it is likely to continue. Meanwhile, a mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna and Barishal divisions, the rest of Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, and the districts of Moulvibazar, Chandpur and Noakhali, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department's morning bulletin. Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at one or two places over Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, and weather may remain mainly dry with a temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country, it added. Read: Frequent power cuts amid heat wave multiplies people’s woes Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country, as per the bulletin. The prevailing heatwave in the country is likely to continue for the next 72 hours. The weather office recorded the highest rainfall of 60mm in Netrakona under Mymensingh division in 24 hours till 6 am on Sunday. The highest temperature was recorded at 41 degree Celsius in Rajshahi, while the lowest temperature was recorded at 23.5 degrees in Mymensingh. Read: Heat wave in Asia made 30 times more likely because of climate change, scientists say