Dhaka, June 03: Sunstroke and dehydration have killed four more people in Bangladesh, bringing the death toll from a weeklong heat wave to 34, officials today said. The scorching sun has also killed several thousand chickens at farms in northern Bangladesh, the relief officials said on condition of anonymity.

Three elderly men died yesterday from sunstroke in Barisal district, 120 km south of Dhaka.

Also yesterday, a trader died from dehydration in Kurigram district, 240 km north of Dhaka, the officials said.

Last week the sultry weather killed 30 people, mostly elderly farmers in northern Bangladesh.

Hospitals have reported treating hundreds of people for dehydration, fever and diarrhea caused by drinking polluted water.

The extreme heat and high humidity is expected to last another week until a monsoon hits the tropical delta nation, the weather office in Dhaka said.

Bureau Report