Heatwave expands across Bangladesh as rain clouds gather over northeast

The Met Office says current heat pattern is likely to continue

A mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping across 21 districts, while rain clouds are building over northeastern Bangladesh, the Met Office says.

In a special warning issued on Friday, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said deep convective cloud systems had formed over the northern and adjoining areas and could persist in the coming days.

Under their influence, heavy rainfall measuring 44–88mm in 24 hours, and in places up to 188mm, may occur in parts of the Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions from Saturday 6pm over the next four days.

The Met Office also warned of possible temporary waterlogging in parts of the two divisional cities.

Meteorologist Hafizur Rahman told bdnews24.com that light to moderate rainfall may occur in other divisions as well, though Mymensingh and Sylhet are likely to receive the highest rainfall.

Dhaka, Faridpur, Madaripur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Feni, Lakshmipur, Rangamati, Bandarban, Patuakhali, along with 10 districts in the Khulna Division, are currently experiencing a mild to moderate heatwave, which may continue, according to the BMD.

In its Friday morning bulletin, the forecaster said isolated areas in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions may see gusty winds, lightning, and thunder showers in the next 24 hours, with scattered hail also possible.

In other parts of the country, the weather remains largely dry under partly cloudy skies.

Day temperatures are tipped to climb slightly, while night conditions will likely stay stable.

In the last 24 hours, the mercury peaked at 38 degrees Celsius in Jashore, marking the country’s highest temperature.

The lowest was recorded at 23.3 degrees Celsius in Panchagrah’s Tetulia.

During this period, the highest rainfall was logged at 32mm in Kurigram’s Rajarhat, with no other significant precipitation reported elsewhere in the country.