The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast the continuation of the ongoing heatwave for the next five days from 9:00am today, despite chances of scattered rain and thunderstorms in parts of the country.

According to the BMD's bulletin, the weather will remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies during the period.

A severe heatwave is currently sweeping over Rajshahi and Chuadanga, while mild to moderate heatwave conditions prevail in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Kurigram, and Moulvibazar, the bulletin said.

"The maximum temperature in this region has been fluctuating between 36.5 and 38 degrees Celsius for the past week. Such weather conditions may prevail for the next few days," said Subal Chandra Roy, in-charge of the Rajarhat Agricultural Meteorological Observatory in Kurigram.

Noor Hossain, an agricultural worker from Durakuti village in Lalmonirhat, told The Daily Star that he has not been able to work in the field for the past five days due to the scorching heat, adding that many are forced to work for 1-2 hours before coming out of the fields.

Bablu Mia, a farmer from Baura village in Lalmonirhat said, "Even with high wages, labourers are not available."

Temperatures in Dhaka may rise slightly today but likely to decrease from tomorrow, according to Md Shaheenul Islam, a meteorologist at BMD.

"There is a possibility of rain in Dhaka from May 12," he added.

He also noted that it may take another week for the heatwave to fully subside across the country, with potential rainfall expected in some northern districts.

From tomorrow, isolated showers accompanied by gusty winds and thunderstorms are likely in parts of the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, the bulletin said.

By the third day, rainfall is expected to expand to more regions, bringing a possible drop in both day and night temperatures by 1–3°C, it added.

Scattered thunderstorms are forecast to continue on the fourth and fifth days, particularly in the northern and eastern regions. The extended outlook suggested a prevailing trend of rain and storm activity in the days ahead.

[Our Lalmonirhat Correspondent contributed to the report]