Almost every district in Bangladesh is currently experiencing a heatwave. On Friday, Chuadanga recorded the highest temperature of the season—41.2 degrees Celsius. In Dhaka, the temperature reached 39.2 degrees Celsius, the highest this year.

Experts say that under normal conditions, the ground absorbs a large part of the sun's heat, which helps reduce how hot we feel. But in big cities like Dhaka, rapid urbanization has changed that. The land is getting hotter because there are fewer trees and open spaces to absorb heat. Over the past 15 years, the surface temperature in Dhaka has increased by 0.8 degrees Celsius. That's why people often feel even hotter than the recorded temperature.

According to the Meteorological Department, this year's highest temperatures were 39.8 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga on March 28 and Jashore on April 23. But Friday's 39.2 degrees Celsius in Dhaka was the highest in the capital in 2025. Before that, Dhaka's highest temperature was 38.5 degrees Celsius on March 28.

The department also reported that compared to Thursday, the heatwave has now spread to more areas. This intense heat is expected to continue for at least two more days. Without rain, there's little chance of relief.

Most parts of Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, and Mymensingh experienced heat waves on Friday. The day before, Chattogram and Barisal divisions had somewhat lower temperatures, but even those areas saw rising heat on Friday.

Meteorologist Md. Hafizur Rahman said, "The heatwave has spread quite a bit. It may last at least two more days, but this isn't unusual for May."

Interestingly, April—Bangladesh's hottest month—wasn't as warm this year. The first week of May was also fairly bearable. But things changed on Wednesday, when temperatures suddenly started rising.

When asked why it's so hot this month, meteorologist Bazlur Rashid explained, "This kind of heat isn't abnormal for May. When there's little to no rain, the temperature goes up. April was cooler because there were occasional rains due to active western low-pressure systems. But right now, there's no such system in place. Westerly winds may become active in a few days, which could bring some rain and relief."

Last year, a study was published focusing on temperature-related risks in five major cities in Bangladesh. It was a joint effort by Brunel University in the UK, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), and two government agencies. The study examined surface temperature changes in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet.

The findings revealed that the surface temperatures in these cities' urban areas are significantly higher than in surrounding rural areas. Among the five cities, Dhaka stands out as the most at-risk. Between 2005 and 2019, the surface temperature in Dhaka rose by 0.8 degrees Celsius, while in Chattogram, it increased by just 0.2 degrees Celsius.

The study explained that rapid urbanization has led to more and more areas being covered in concrete. This results in higher temperatures in city centers compared to the outskirts. Urban land lacks greenery or open soil and heats up quickly under the sun. Concrete buildings and roads also trap heat, which lingers even after sunset. That's why the nights in cities can feel as hot as the days.

Experts describe this effect as an "urban heat island." Because cities like Dhaka are losing trees and water bodies while being filled with concrete and vehicles, the temperatures feel much higher than what thermometers show. For example, if the actual temperature is 34–36 degrees Celsius, it can feel like 40–42 degrees Celsius. This makes summer in the cities extremely uncomfortable, often leading to water shortages and increased heat-related illnesses.

Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman, a professor of Geography and Environment at Jagannath University, explained the issue simply: "To absorb the sun's heat, a city needs enough soil and water sources. But Dhaka and Chattogram have turned into concrete jungles. There's almost no space left to absorb heat. On top of that, heavy traffic and factories make things worse by releasing even more heat into the environment."

He added that the only way to ease the situation is by planting trees and creating more water bodies. Without that, the cities will continue to heat up, making life even harder for those living there.

Dr. Moniruzzaman further explained that the intense heat in Dhaka and other urban areas isn't just due to the rise in natural temperature—human activities largely drive it. Brick kilns, overcrowded factories, unfit vehicles, the growing use of air conditioners in homes and offices, heavy pollution from constant development work, and the burning of waste in unscientific ways all make the heat feel much worse than it is. While the real temperature may have only increased slightly, people often feel it's 5 to 7 degrees hotter. He warned that if sustainable steps aren't taken, like stopping the use of fossil fuels, we may soon start feeling like we're living in desert conditions.

Environmental and forest affairs adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan also stressed the need for long-term planning. She told Bonik Barta, "Global temperatures are rising. This is also causing temperatures to rise in our country. However, instead of trying to keep the temperature tolerable by covering the city with concrete, we have increased it several times. The main reason for the high temperature in Dhaka city is the excessive concrete covering. Along with this, the reduction in greenery, water bodies, and public spaces is also responsible. Short, medium, and long-term measures must be taken to combat the temperature. We are planning how to increase the number of trees in the capital. However, there is no short-term solution to this heat wave problem. In the case of the capital, the medium-term solution is to green Dhaka, and the long-term solution is decentralization, for which a policy decision must be taken now."

April is typically the hottest month in Bangladesh, with an average temperature of 33.2 degrees Celsius. May follows closely as the second hottest month, averaging around 32.9 degrees. It is considered a mild heatwave when temperatures range from 36 to just under 38 degrees. If the temperature reaches between 38 and just under 40 degrees, it's seen as moderate. It's categorized as a severe heatwave when it hits between 40 and just under 42 degrees. And anything over 42 degrees is classified as an extreme heatwave.