Rain, sunshine forecast for next week as showers cool heat

Showers have drenched Dhaka and parts of the country to cool a searing hot spell on the first day of Jaisthya, the second month of Bengali summer, and bring a much-needed respite for citizens amid a heatwave.

The weather is likely to alternate between sunshine and rain over the next week, according to a Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecast on Thursday.

Meteorologist Shahinul Islam told bdnews24.com, “Currently, we can see the alternating rain and sunshine which will continue for now, maybe for eight-ten days.

“Also, temperature will come down in some of the places affected by heatwaves,” he added.

The regular morning weather bulletin said there may be occasional gusty winds with lightning or rain, accompanied by thundershowers in some places in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and a few places in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions.

Also, some places in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rains.

The daytime temperatures may drop while the mercury is expected to remain steady at night, according to the forecast.

HEATWAVES IN 2 DIVISIONS, 9 DISTRICTS

A mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping across Faridpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Manikganj, Narayanganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, and Chandpur districts and the Khulna and Barishal divisions. The heatwave is likely to ease in some of those areas, the Met Office forecast.

When the mercury rises to between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius, meteorologists consider it a light heatwave. A moderate heatwave occurs between temperatures of 38-40 degrees Celsius. A severe heatwave occurs when the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius.

The maximum rainfall in the country was recorded in Rangpur's Rajarhat, at 139mm, over 24 hours until 6am Thursday. Dhaka saw 23mm of rainfall during this period, while Netrokona experienced 92mm, Sylhet 89mm and Cumilla 54mm.