Abdul Latif, 55, and Marium, 8, died in Nilphamari and fisherman Emajuddin, 50, in Pirojpur. Details were not known yet.

The highest temperature shot up to 38 degrees Celsius in Jessore and 37 degrees in Dhaka.

Although the situation improved a little, frequent blackouts coupled with elusive water supply continued to paralyse life in Dhaka and elsewhere.

Traffic was thin on Dhaka roads at midday, as most people preferred to stay indoors. In some leafy areas, rickshaw-pullers were seen lazing under trees.

Day-labourers were, however, the worst victims of the scorcher. The sufferings of Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examinees were also no less.

The meteorological office said there was no respite in sight as the sizzler was set to smother life for a few more days.

It said the sultry weather might bake the northern region for the next two to three days, but predicted scattered thunderstorms in the capital on Wednesday.

Heat related complications, including diarrhoea, were reported in Dhaka and elsewhere and doctors asked people to drink more water and avoid direct exposure to sun.

The sales of green coconut, oral rehydration saline, cold drinks and watermelons picked up.

Weathermen said the heat was not unusual for the season.

Some 50 people died of heat or heat-related illnesses last year.