35
A Bangladeshi court ordered a nationwide shutdown of schools due to an ongoing heatwave, the day after the government sent millions of children back to class despite searing temperatures.
Extensive scientific research has found climate change is causing heat waves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.
Average temperatures in the capital Dhaka over the past week have been 4-5 degrees Celsius (7.2-9 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than the 30-year average for the same period.
The government said at least seven people had died as a result of the extreme heat since the start of April, with maximum temperatures in the capital forecast to remain above 40 degrees until Thursday.
Bangladesh follows the Sunday-Thursday Islamic work week. The order directs schools to remain closed for an estimated 32 million students until the coming Sunday.
The government had imposed a weeklong national school closure beginning April 21 as the heatwave persisted, but lifted the order over the weekend.
Classes had resumed in Dhaka on Sunday with anxious relatives accompanying their children to the school gates.
