Schools ordered shut as temperatures break record

The ongoing scorcher continued to batter the nation yesterday, with temperatures hitting record high in parts of the country and the High Court ordering the closure of schools and colleges amid reports of students falling sick.

This year's highest temperature so far was recorded in Chuadanga yesterday at 43 degrees Celsius. It was the district's highest in 10 years. 

Dhaka also had its hottest day of the year, reaching 40.5 degrees, the second-highest since 1965. Dhaka recorded 42 degrees Celsius on 30 April 1965. Last year, on 16 April, it hit 40.6 degrees.

Last year, the country's highest temperature was recorded in Pabna on 17 April 2023 at 43 degrees Celsius.

Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, said the ongoing heatwave will persist nationwide until 1 May. There is a chance of rain in the eastern part of the country during 2-7 May.

However, these showers will not last long, and temperatures will rise again afterward, he added. "After May rains, there's a high chance of heatwaves hitting various parts of the country. There could be two to three more heatwaves in May, some severe to very severe, affecting multiple areas."

Other districts also experienced intense heat yesterday, with Rajshahi hitting 42.6 degrees, Pabna recording 42.5, Khulna 41.8, Mongla 41.3, and Satkhira 41.5 degrees.

Schools ordered closed again

Amid the sizzling heat, the High Court ordered all schools, colleges, madrasas and technical educational institutions closed till 2 May. 

The educational institutions which have air conditioners, universities, A and O level exams and public examinations will remain out of the purview of the order.

Md Manir Uddin, a Supreme Court lawyer, drew the attention of the court about the news of death and sickness of people including teachers and students after the reopening of the educational institutions amid the heat alert across the country. 

Classes at all primary, secondary schools and colleges resumed on Sunday after Eid-ul-Fitr holidays and its subsequent extension due to heatwave.

Schools and colleges were scheduled to reopen on 21 April after the end of Eid holidays but the closure was extended till 27 April 27 due to sweltering heat.

English Medium schools conducting offline classes

Nusrat, a parent, told The Business Standard that her children attend offline classes at Green Gems International School. She mentioned that the school is well-equipped to conduct offline classes as per government regulations, with activities held indoors and ample drinking water available. 

Another parent, Wafiur from Summerfield International School, said, "My son has been taking online classes since last week. He will also have an online class tomorrow. Offline class may start from thursday or next sunday."

Rasheda K Choudhury, an educationist and social activist, stressed the importance of localised decisions for online and offline classes. 

She said, "Online classes unfairly disadvantage students who lack internet access. Besides, there's insufficient monitoring and planning. Many students from coastal areas miss classes during climate disasters, while those from other districts attend." 

Students falling ill in classrooms 

Three students of Jagadish Saraswat Girls School and College in Barishal fell ill in the classroom yesterday due to the sweltering heat this afternoon.

Kawsar Hossain, assistant teacher of the school, said, "40 students were attending classes in a classroom. Following a power outage in the afternoon, one student from class VI and two students from class VII fell ill due to the extreme heat."

Meanwhile, two other students fell ill at Kuakata Bangabandhu Secondary School in Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali district. 

The head teacher of the school, Md Khalilur Rahman, said two sixth graders - Eamon Ichha and Karima Akhtar – fell sick in the classroom.

"While two students fell ill today, the number may rise in the future. Uninterrupted power supply alleviates the heat but when power outages occur, conducting classes becomes increasingly challenging," said the teacher.

Seven students of a school in Muradnagar upazila of Cumilla have fallen ill due to the extreme heat.

Head teacher Masuda Akhter of Taymos Begum High School said some students fell ill during class and they were later sent back to home with their parents. The school was then declared closed for the day.

Possible cyclone after heatwave

Mostofa Kamal Palash, a weather researcher at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, told TBS that there is a possibility of a cyclone forming in the Bay of Bengal after 15 May. 

Analysing data from the American Weather Forecast, Palash said no cyclones, depressions, or low-pressure systems have formed in the Bay of Bengal since the pre-monsoon cyclone season began in March. This suggests that there is sufficient energy accumulated in the Bay of Bengal to potentially form a cyclone.

Meanwhile, meteorologist Shahnaz Sultana from the BMD said there is no cyclone forecasted for the next 10 days. However, during the pre-monsoon period, there is a high possibility of cyclone formation in the sea, with a potential cyclone expected by the end of May.