Heavy rain alert as Dhaka drenches after heatwave

A low-pressure system over the Bay may intensify, forecast says

After a day of blazing sunshine, dark clouds have rolled over the capital before heavy rain lashed different parts of Dhaka, bringing some relief from the heat.

Rain began in several areas of the city after 4pm on Wednesday.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecast moderate heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.

The department classifies rainfall exceeding 44mm in 24 hours as heavy rain, while more than 88mm is considered very heavy rainfall.

Meteorologist Hafizur Rahman told bdnews24.com, “The low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions is now positioned over the southwest Bay and adjacent west-central Bay. It may intensify. Another trough of low pressure lies over West Bengal and nearby areas.”

He said many places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions could experience temporary gusty or squally winds, lightning and light to moderate rain or thundershowers on Wednesday.

“Some places in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions and isolated places in Khulna and Barishal divisions may also receive rainfall.”

Day and night temperatures across the country may remain nearly unchanged, he added.

The Met Office said the country’s highest temperature in the 24 hours until 6am Wednesday was recorded in Ishurdi and Jashore at 35.8 degrees Celsius, while Sylhet recorded the lowest at 21 degrees Celsius.

Netrokona logged the highest rainfall at 40mm.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions from Thursday to Sunday.