Bangladesh to reopen schools despite heatwave

By Ruma Paul

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh will reopen schools from next week despite a brutal heatwave sweeping the country that has seen temperatures soar to 43 degrees Celsius (109°F), officials said on Thursday.

The severe conditions had forced authorities to close schools this week.

The Education Ministry, however, will reopen schools despite the Meteorological Department warning that there was no end in sight for the heat.

"All kinds of preparations have been made to open educational institutions from next week. Students will be kept away from extracurricular activities. The daily assembly will remain closed until further orders," an education ministry official said.

Scientists have said climate change is contributing to more frequent, severe, and longer heatwaves during summer months.

Authorities have been encouraging residents to stay indoors and drink water.

Those who work outdoors like labourers and rickshaw drivers say the brutal heat has become extremely challenging.

"It is becoming very hard to pull a rickshaw. But we can't stay home. What will we eat then?" Mohammad Zamir, a rickshaw puller said.

(Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Toby Chopra)