More heatwaves in May, fears of cyclone: forecast

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department says more heat and storms are on the horizon

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After an arid and exhausting April, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department is forecasting more heatwaves, along with Kalboishakhi storms, in May.

The second half of the current month may see a low pressure system in the Bay of Bengal that could develop into a cyclone, the BMD said in its long-term forecast for May on Thursday.

Bangladesh was scorched by a persistent heatwave throughout the month of April. Mild to moderate heatwaves began in different parts of the country from Apr 1 to Apr 19 and severe to very severe heatwaves developed from Apr 20 to Apr 30.

Nor’westers were seen in different parts of the country on 16 different days. Stormy winds reaching a high of 89 kmph were recorded in Sylhet on Apr 27 and in Sreemangal on Apr 28.

On Apr 30, Jashore recorded the highest temperature of the month so far at 43.8 degrees Celsius. It is the second-highest temperature recorded in Bangladesh since the country’s independence.

BMD Director Azizur Rahman said, the maximum temperature for April was 3.2 degrees Celsius above the average, while the minimum temperature was 2.8 degrees Celsius higher. The average temperature was 3 degrees Celsius above the average.

When the mercury rises to between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, meteorologists consider it a mild heat wave. A moderate heat wave occurs between temperatures of 38-40 degrees Celsius. A severe heat wave occurs when the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius.

The long-term forecast for May forecast three to five days of Kalboishakhi storms accompanied by lightning and hail and another two to three days of heavy storms.

Some parts of the country may experience one to three moderate heatwaves, while others will see one to two heatwaves, said BMD Director Azizur.

“One to two low-pressure systems may develop in the Bay of Bengal,” he said. “One of them in the second half of the month may develop into a cyclone.”

The river flow is to remain normal this month, but the water may rise past the threat level in some parts of the north and northeast due to heavy rainfall upstream.

There may be heavy to very heavy rainfall in the north-eastern region and adjacent upstream areas in the next 24 hours, said Sadar Uday Raihan, executive engineer at the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre.

Large rivers in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj districts may also come close to the danger level.