A distressed middle-aged woman was seen fanning her husband with a cardboard in the emergency corner of the Medicine Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
When this correspondent approached her at around 3:15pm on Thursday, she replied in a helpless voice, "For the last seven days, he has been running fever. The temperature did not fall under 100 degrees (Fahrenheit) for even a single minute. The overlapping hot and cold weather caused this fever, I think."
When asked Mohammad Hasan failed to put his sufferings in words.
Hasan was rushed to the hospital from Narayanganj where he works as a restaurant manager.
Within two hours, this correspondent talked to family members or companions of a bunch of patients in the department who have been suffering from fever, cold, back pain, diarrhoea and complaints of asthma bouts during the intense countrywide heat wave.
The number of patients suffering from different kinds of diseases is reportedly rising across the country.
Hospital sources said children and older people are basically prone to such diseases.
DMCH sources said that patients visiting the hospital with such diseases are receiving treatments properly.
"If the patients are extremely affected, we are getting them admitted to the hospital. Otherwise we are releasing them with a prescription of medicines and guidelines," said DMCH doctors.
Mohammad Yeasin was admitted to the hospital for severe fever and back pain on Thursday.
Dragging the wheelchair of Yeasin, a man came from Kamrangirchar, his mother said he has been feeling unwell since the 26th of Ramadan.
"As his condition has worsened, we have brought him in the hospital and doctors suggested get him admitted immediately," said the elderly mother.
According to the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), the number of patients getting admitted there is about 500 on average every day.
Icddr,b Senior Communication Manager Tariful Islam Khan said the number of patients were 400 to 500 in the last month.
We regard the situation an alarming one when the number of patients crosses 700 on a single day, said Tarif.
He said although the temperature has risen in the recent few days, people do not sweat as much as the heat affect them.
"Which is why, the patient number is still usual. There is nothing to panic at this moment. In such temperature in 2022, record number of patients some 1400 were admitted to there on a single day," Tarif added.
However, doctors advised follow some precautions to prevent the disease.
Talking to this correspondent, Dr Roksana Hossain Ani of the DMCH said, "People need to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. If you need to go outside, take umbrellas or wear hats."
Echoing the same, Dr Salma Sultana Priya suggested drink more water.
"Dehydration is concerning during the hot weather. We need to drink more water. Oral saline is also helpful for staying hydrated," said Dr Salma.
The doctors also advised wearing light-coloured and loose-fitting clothes.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the highest temperature was recorded in Chuadanga on third consecutive day with a 40.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The same temperature was recorded in Jashore on the same day.
The lowest temperature was recorded in Nikli in Dhaka with a 20.5 degrees Celsius.
The Met office forecast that rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet with hailstorms at isolated places on Friday.
On the same day, weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy skies elsewhere in the country. Due to increase of moisture incursion, the discomfort may increase.
