Met Office predicts short-term floods, mild heatwave in September

A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal may turn into a depression

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast two to three low-pressure areas in the Bay of Bengal in September, one of which may develop into a depression.

The Met Office also predicted one or two mild heatwaves with temperatures between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, along with short-term floods in some regions of the country.

In its long-term forecast for September released on Monday, the BMD predicted the possibility of normal rainfall this month.

In August, three low-pressure areas formed in the Bay of Bengal, one of which developed into a depression.

River forecasts indicate that normal flow of the country’s major rivers may prevail this month.

However, heavy rainfall could trigger short-term flooding in the northern, northeastern, and southeastern regions.

The BMD also noted 1.2 percent more rainfall than usual in August. Of this, Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and Barishal Divisions received less than normal rainfall.

The Met Office recorded the highest rainfall of 261mm in a single day in Kutubdia in August.

The highest temperature recorded this month was 37.1 degrees Celsius in Rangpur, and the lowest temperature was 21.8 degrees Celsius in Mymensingh.

Over the next 24 hours from 6pm on Monday, light to moderate rain or thundershowers with gusty winds are expected in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, and Barishal, and some parts of Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, with moderate to heavy rain possible elsewhere.