The decision to organize Amar Ekushey Granathamela, the longest duration book fair in the world, from March 18 to April 14 has come under criticism.

This is because publishers and writers fear pre-monsoon showers at the time may play spoilsport. Pre-monsoon rains are common in Bangladesh and account for about 72% of the annual rainfall.

According to weathertovisit.com, March is the fifth driest month of the year in Dhaka. The city receives around 54mm of rainfall on an average every March. These showers are typically spread over three days.

On the other hand, April is the sixth driest month of the year in Dhaka. On an average, the city receives around 138mm of rainfall every April. And these showers are typically spread over seven days.

In the last couple of years too when the month-long fair was organized in February, stall owners had suffered huge losses due to heavy pre-monsoon showers and thunderstorms.

According to a weather report, it may heavily rain in March and April this year.

Publisher of Shraban Prakashani Robin Ahsan told UNB the decision to arrange the book fair in March-April was not at all wise.

"The pre-monsoon showers will hit sales of books at the fair. Already publishers and book stall owners are reeling under losses," he said.

This year, the book fair has already missed different special days such as Pohela Falgun, Valentine's Day and February 21 when sales peak, he added.

A regular visitor to the book fair, theatre activist Golap Hossain also echoed similar sentiments. "It will be just a commercial trade fair this year. Moreover, the pre-monsoon showers will discourage people from visiting the fair."

However, organizers say steps are being taken to make the book fair a success.

Member secretary of the fair organizing committee Jalal Ahmed said: “We will arrange more facilities for the publishers so as to reduce their losses."

"The design of the book stalls will be done taking into consideration the natural calamities during March and April,” he said.

Jalal said they have already taken relevant documents from the publishers for giving them insurance coverage so as to protect them from big losses. "Stall owners can claim compensation from insurance companies as insurance coverage has been made compulsory for them at Ekushey Book Fair like in previous years."