Scattered rain hits parts of Bangladesh, cooler days ahead

This spell of light rain may last two more days, says a meteorologist

Scattered rain has returned to parts of Dhaka and northeastern Bangladesh midway into Kartik, the first Bengali month of late autumn, with meteorologists forecasting cooler weather within the next two days.

A brief spell of rain drenched Dhaka after 9pm on Wednesday, following heavy showers the night before.

“This spell of light rain may last two more days,” said Tariful Newaz Kabir of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, adding that a cooler feeling is likely from Saturday.

In the 24 hours leading up to Wednesday morning, the highest rainfall was recorded in Satkhira at 24mm, with light showers also reported in Khulna, Mongla, Jashore and Chuadanga. Sporadic rain was seen in Mymensingh, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Narsingdi, Faridpur and Gopalganj.

Tariful said the remnants of Cyclone Montha, which made landfall in India’s Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, killing at least one person, have not directly affected Bangladesh, but have caused scattered rain as cloud bands drifted northward.

“The light rain may continue for another two days,” he said. “After the 1st of November, temperatures are expected to drop, bringing a mild chill.”

The cyclone, named Montha, meaning “beautiful flower” in Thai, developed from a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal on Oct 24. It intensified gradually into a deep depression and then into a full cyclone by early Sunday.

After turning severe on Monday night, Montha made landfall near the northwestern coast of Andhra Pradesh around 2:30am Tuesday.

Bangladesh’s coastal regions saw no major impact apart from light to moderate rain. The Met Office had hoisted danger signal No. 2 for Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra ports, but the warning has now been lifted.