The whole country including Rajshahi is affected by severe heat. Due to continuous heat wave, Boro plantation is in crisis of irrigation. Mangoes are falling from the tree. Various types of crops including jute, maize have been scorched. Lychee is bursting at a small stage. The worshipers offered Istiska Namaz in Rajshahi to protect themselves from such dire situation and to pray for rain.
They offered this prayer in Bagha and Puthia upazilas of Rajshahi on Tuesday.
At around 9:30 in the morning, the worshipers offered Istiska Namaz at the Shahdaula Government College ground located in Bagha Upazila Sadar. At the end of the prayer, a prayer is made to Almighty Allah for rain. The prayer was led by the front Imam Maulana Md. Ashraf Ali of Bagha Shahi Mosque. Bagha Upazila Parishad Chairman Laib Uddin Lovelu, Bagha Municipality Mayor Akkach Ali and local Muslims participated in it.
At around 11 o’clock, the worshipers offered Istiska Namaz at the PN Model High School grounds of Puthia Upazila. Puthia Upazila Ulama Parishad organized this prayer. Maulana Mohammad Anwarul Islam led the prayer. After the prayer, prayers are prayed for rain all over the country including Rajshahi.
Meanwhile, according to local sources, frogs were married in Bagha upazila hoping for rain. The wedding was organized on the initiative of Montu Ali and Rokeya Begum of Gochar village in Arani town area on Tuesday (April 23) afternoon. Some local people believe that if a frog marries a frog, the rain will end.
On the previous day, on Monday, a frog marriage was performed for rain in Tatarpur village of Charghat upazila. After noon to afternoon singing for rain in several houses of the village, the marriage ceremony takes place. After the wedding, there was a meal in the evening. This marriage was organized by the initiative of two students named Yusuf Ali and Habiba Khatun.
Since last Wednesday (April 17), Rajshahi has been experiencing intense heat wave. The highest temperature recorded in Rajshahi that day was 40.2 degrees Celsius. Rajshahi has had mild to moderate heatwave since April 1st. But since last week the moderate heat wave has turned into severe heat wave. Last Tuesday, the temperature was recorded at 40.5 degrees Celsius. The previous day on Monday the temperature was 40 degrees Celsius. And the previous two days were 41.5 degrees Celsius.
According to the Met Office, a mild heat wave is when the maximum day temperature is usually between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius. Temperatures between 38 and 40 degrees Celsius are called moderate heat waves. Besides, temperature between 40 to 42 degree Celsius is considered as severe heat wave. And when the temperature rises above 42 degrees Celsius, it is considered as an extreme heat wave.
Note that the highest temperature of Rajshahi was recorded on 17 April 2023 at 42.6 degrees Celsius. It was the highest in 9 long years. However, earlier on April 25, 2014, the highest temperature in Rajshahi was recorded at 41.2 degrees Celsius.
