Bangladesh seaports on alert as monsoon clouds build over Bay of Bengal

Active monsoon conditions at sea could bring squally or gusty winds across coastal areas, the Met Office says

File photo

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has asked the country’s four major seaports to hoist local cautionary signal No. 3 as active monsoon conditions persist over the Bay of Bengal.

The ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra were placed under the warning on Wednesday, with Meteorologist AKM Nazmul Haque citing continued cloud formations over the North Bay that could bring squally or gusty winds across coastal areas and ports.

Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay have been advised to stay close to the shore and proceed with caution until further notice.

According to the latest BMD weather bulletin, a low-pressure area over India's Chhattisgarh and adjoining regions is weakening as it moves northwestwards, while the monsoon trough extends across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, the North Bay and southern Bangladesh.

Monsoon activity is currently strong over the North Bay, active over the southern part of Bangladesh, and fairly active elsewhere in the country.

The forecast warns of light to moderate rain or thundershowers with gusty winds at most places across the Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, and heavy to very heavy falls in some areas.

In the last 24 hours, Barishal's Khepupara recorded the highest rainfall at 60mm, while Nikli in the Dhaka Division registered the highest maximum temperature at 35.2 degrees Celsius.

Temperatures are expected to dip slightly in the coming days, while high humidity levels will persist. Rainfall is likely to decrease gradually over the next five days.