Millions in Bangladesh off school as heatwave rages on

South Asian country is battling hottest April in three decades

- ALISHA RAHAMAN SARKAR

A punishing heatwave has forced Bangladesh to shut schools for 33 million children as the country battles the hottest April in three decades. Most educational institutions will remain shut until 27 April, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education announced.

This is the second year in a row that Bangladesh has had to shut schools to protect children from the severe heat. The early onset of an intense heatwave has also impacted agricultural production in the country as well as in neighbouring India.

Average maximum temperatures in the national capital Dhaka over the past week have been 4-5C higher than the 30-year average for the same period, according to Bangladesh’s meteorological department. The highest temperature this summer was recorded at 42.2C in Chuadanga district over the weekend, while Dhaka sizzled at 40.4C.