Bangladesh braces for downpours, landslide risk

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall across four divisions, including Dhaka and Chattogram, over the next three days.

The BMD also asked the country’s four seaports -- Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra -- to keep cautionary signal No. 3 hoisted, warning of squally winds under the influence of an active southwest monsoon.

Officials said persistent downpours could trigger landslides in some hilly areas of the Chattogram Division.

In a weather bulletin on Thursday, Meteorologist Kh Hafizur Rahman said: "Under the influence of an active monsoon, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at places over the Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions during next 72 hours from 8am on Thursday."

All fishing boats and trawlers in the Bay of Bengal have been advised to stay close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

Over the last 24 hours, the highest temperature in the country was recorded at 35 degrees Celsius in Kishoreganj’s Nikli and the highest rainfall was recorded at 68mm in Cumilla’s Maijdee Court.