Four people, including a woman, have died across Jamalpur over the past four days as a severe heatwave sweeps the district, with local authorities and health officials suspecting heatstroke as the cause of death.
The fatalities were reported between Monday and Thursday morning in Madarganj, Bakshiganj, and Dewanganj upazilas.
On Thursday morning, a farmer named Tunu Akand, 55, son of the late Sadek Akand of Moslemabad village in the Gunaritola union of Madarganj, died after suddenly falling ill amidst the intense heat.
According to family members, Tunu Akand was drying hay in a field near his home on Wednesday afternoon when he collapsed.
He was initially admitted to Jamalpur General Hospital, but as his condition deteriorated, he was referred to Mymensingh for advanced treatment. He passed away on Thursday morning while en route to the hospital.
Earlier on Wednesday, Bali Begum, wife of the late Iman Ali Pramanik, died while drying paddy straw in the Kukurmari area of Jorkhali Union under the same upazila.
On Tuesday, Sanowar, son of the late Omer Ali of Robiar Char village in Merurchar Union of Bakshiganj upazila, became ill while harvesting paddy.
He was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Sanowar served as the muezzin of the Robiar Char North Jame Mosque.
Another victim, Asadul Islam, son of Mohammad Mohol Mondol of East Bhatkhawa village in Dewanganj upazila, died on Monday while cutting paddy in a field. He had returned home from Dhaka during the Eid holidays and joined the seasonal harvesting work.
Madarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sumon Chowdhury confirmed that two people had died in Madarganj over two days due to the intense heat.
He urged the public to remain vigilant during the current heatwave, advising them to avoid the midday sun, drink sufficient water, and refrain from outdoor work unless absolutely necessary.
Jamalpur Civil Surgeon Mohammad Azizul Haque warned that the prevailing weather conditions have significantly increased the risk of heatstroke, dehydration and other heat-related illnesses.
He advised children, elderly people and outdoor workers to take extra precautions, avoid going outdoors during peak daytime hours, use umbrellas when necessary and drink adequate amounts of safe water and oral saline to stay hydrated
