Scorching heat prompts school closures in Bangladesh

Scorching heat prompted school closures in Bangladesh and forced nearly 33 million children out of their classes as parts of the country experienced temperatures surpassing 42C (108F).

This came after classes in the Philippines and India were suspended amid searing temperatures across the region.

Amid the soaring temperatures, thousands of Bangladeshis on Wednesday (Apr 24) gathered to pray for rain.

"Praying for rains is a tradition of our prophet. We repented for our sins and prayed for his blessings for rains," Muhammad Abu Yusuf, an Islamic cleric who led a morning prayer service for 1,000 people in central Dhaka, told AFP.

"Life has become unbearable due to lack of rain," he said. "Poor people are suffering immensely."

As per Bangladesh's weather bureau, average maximum temperatures across Dhaka over the past week rose by over 4-5 degrees (7.2-9 degrees Fahrenheit) Celsiusas compared to the 30-year average for the same period.

Authorities had last week orderedschools to suspend classes until the end of the month.

The United Nations children's agency released a statement saying that it was "urging parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated and safe" through the heatwave.

"The severity of this heatwave underscores the urgent need for action to protect children from the worsening impacts of climate change," UNICEF said in a statement.

Across Bangladesh, the temperatures have shot up to over 42C (108F) in the past week.

"April is usually the hottest month in Bangladesh. But this April has been one of the hottest since the country's independence (in 1971)," government forecaster Tariful Newaz Kabir told AFP.

"We expect the high temperature will remain until the end of this month," he said.

Soaring temperatures prompt suspension of classes in Philippines

Earlier, the Philippines witnessed the suspension of classes due to a heatwave that swept across the region.

The extreme weather conditions also triggered heatwave warnings in Thailand's capital Bangkok.

"It's so hot you can't breathe," news agency AFP quoted Erlin Tumaron, 60, who works at a Philippine seaside resort in Cavite province, south of Manila, as saying.

The heat index reached 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday (Apr 23) in the region.

"It's surprising our pools are still empty. You would expect people to come and take a swim, but it seems they're reluctant to leave their homes because of the heat."

El Nino weather phenomenon

El Nino weather phenomenon is being considered responsible for the scorching heat and severe weather conditions across the region.

The archipelago, which usually experiences high temperatures during the months of March, April and May, recorded the heat index at the "danger" level of 42C (108F).

It was expected to go even higher in at least 30 cities and municipalities on Wednesday, said the state weather forecaster.

(With inputs from agencies)