DHAKA, May 22: A blistering heatwave originating in the northeastern Indian states of Bihar and West Bengal has been hitting Bangladesh for the last few days, claiming 16 lives.

Around 100 people suffered from heat stroke in Pabna and 63 of them were hospitalized. Pabna is located in northern Bangladesh, near India.

Northwestern Bangladesh appears to be the worst affected by the heatwave and mercury touched 43.4 degree Celsius in Satkhira.

This was the highest recorded temperature in the country since May 8, 1972, when 45.1 degree Celsius was recorded at Rajshahi.

Fish farms, prawn and other export-oriented fishing hatcheries located in and around Khulna have reported dying of unusually large number fish due to the heat.

Daily life has been badly affected by this unusually dry weather after a pleasant March and April, when there was a substantial rainfall.