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Masudur Rahman: As May draws to a close, the erratic nature of global weather has intensified. On one hand, a record-breaking ‘heat dome’ is forming over Europe, while on the other, a historically long pre-monsoon heatwave is gripping a vast region of South Asia. In neighboring India’s Uttar Pradesh, temperatures have already exceeded 47.6 degrees Celsius, with a direct impact felt in Bangladesh. Intense oppressive heat and mild heatwaves are sweeping across 11 districts of the country. Public life has been severely disrupted by this double blow of climate change.
According to recent reports by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and international climate researchers, global temperatures have been significantly above normal since the beginning of 2026 due to the activation of a strong ‘El Niño’ in the Pacific Ocean.
Despite indications of severe cold in mid-May, the weather across Europe suddenly changed within a week. A high-pressure system originating from Northwest Africa has created a ‘heat dome’ across Europe, including Spain and Portugal. As a result, temperatures in cities like London are approximately 15 degrees Celsius above normal.
A special report by the World Meteorological Organization states that severe drought and heatwaves in Latin America and the Caribbean region are threatening food production. Meanwhile, the heatwave that began in April in South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan, has placed billions of people at extreme health risk. Over the past two days, India’s capital, Delhi, recorded its warmest night in 14 years.
According to the latest bulletin from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, uncomfortable weather is prevailing across the country. A mild heatwave is sweeping over a total of 11 districts, including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Pabna, Sirajganj, Tangail, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jashore, Chandpur, and Laxmipur.
Although the country’s maximum temperature has hovered between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius in recent days, the high humidity makes the felt temperature (Heat Index) feel like 42 to 45 degrees Celsius. In Dhaka, morning humidity often exceeds 73 percent. As a result, continuous sweating is causing extreme fatigue among the general public, especially rickshaw pullers, day laborers, and pedestrians.
According to doctors, the risk of heatstroke has multiplied manifold due to this intense heat. Extra precautions are advised, especially for children and the elderly.
Meteorologists predict that one or two low-pressure systems may form this May, which cannot be ruled out from potentially developing into depressions or cyclones.
Experts from the Meteorological Department have stated that this heatwave may continue for the next couple of days. However, Kalbaishakhi storms, thunderstorms, and hailstorms are possible in some areas of the northern, northeastern, and central regions. Temperatures might decrease with moderate to heavy rainfall in Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. Nevertheless, in rainless regions, particularly Khulna and Rajshahi divisions, the dominance of this oppressive heat may persist for several more days.
Climate experts have warned that the normal cycle of seasonal change has been disrupted due to global warming. Such extreme weather and intense heatwaves during the pre-monsoon season are no longer exceptions; rather, they have become the new and dangerous ‘normal’ rule of the global climate.