Met Office issues heavy rain, waterlogging warning for Dhaka, Chattogram

The alert follows persistent rainfall in the capital, which began with light drizzle in the morning and intensified to heavy showers by midday

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next three days across parts of the country, with the possibility of urban flooding in Dhaka and Chattogram.

The alert, issued on Tuesday, follows persistent rainfall in the capital, which began with light drizzle in the morning and intensified to heavy showers by midday.

According to the Met office, active monsoon conditions over the southwest are expected to bring heavy to very heavy rain to parts of Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Dhaka, and Rajshahi divisions through the next 72 hours from 2pm Tuesday.

The forecast also warns of potential landslides in the hilly areas of Chattogram, Rangamati, Khagrachari, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar. Urban areas of Dhaka and Chattogram may experience temporary waterlogging.

Earlier, forecasters had predicted a prolonged wet spell through Sunday.

A nationwide alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next three days was issued on Monday morning.

According to the regular weather bulletin, most areas in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, as well as many parts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, may see light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds through Wednesday morning. Some areas may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall.

As of 6am Tuesday, the highest recorded rainfall in the past 24 hours was 76mm in Sandwip in Chattogram. Sitakunda recorded 62mm, Feni 59mm, Satkhira 58mm, and both Koyra in Khulna and Cox’s Bazar 57mm.

Rainfall amounts in Bangladesh are classified as follows: 1–10mm is considered light, 11–22mm moderate, 23–43mm moderately heavy, 44–88mm heavy, and anything above 88mm is deemed very heavy rainfall.