Rain likely in Dhaka, seven other divisions

The rain seen in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh since the start of Boishakh, the first month of the Bengali calendar, is likely to continue on Friday.

However, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecasts that the temperature may rise further after the rain.

Meteorologist Afroza Sultana told bdnews24.com on Thursday afternoon, “It is raining in Dhaka and other parts of the country. There is a possibility of rain tomorrow. Temperatures are expected to rise on Sunday or Monday after the rainfall eases."

Meanwhile, the sky became cloudy and it began to rain in the capital around noon on Thursday, causing suffering for the poor who often work outside but offering much-needed relief from the sweltering heat for other city residents.

On Wednesday, heavy rain began in the afternoon and continued intermittently until the evening. The Met Office recorded 35mm of rainfall in Dhaka over the last 24 hours.

According to the weather bulletin at 9am, light to moderate rain or thundershowers with lightning and occasional gusty wind is likely to occur at several places in the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at a few places over the country.

As per the standard classification, 1-10mm is considered light rain, 11-22mm moderate, 23-43mm moderately heavy, 44-88mm heavy, and more than 88mm is categorised as very heavy rainfall.

However, the day and night temperatures may remain almost unchanged across the country.

Cox’s Bazar recorded the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours in the country with 60mm, alongside 58mm in Rangpur and 39mm in Narsingdi.

The highest temperature in the country during the period was recorded in Sylhet at 36.5°C. The lowest was 19°C in Rangpur.

LIGHTNING STRIKE WARNING

The Met Office warned of lightning strikes in parts of the country during the rainfall.

A warning signed by meteorologist AKM Nazmul Hoque on Thursday said there is a possibility of rain or thundershowers at speeds of 45 to 60kph accompanied by lightning strikes in Nawabganj, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Joypurhat, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Bogura, Pabna, Sirajganj, Tangail, Mymensingh, Netrakona, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Dhaka, Narsingdi, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Bhola, Barguna, Noakhali, Sunamganj, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj.

The warning included advice to avoid lightning strikes:

Stay inside during thunderstorms

Keep the windows and doors of the house closed

Avoid travel during the storm if possible

Take refuge at safe shelter if you are outside

Avoid taking shelter underneath a tree

Avoid lying down, particularly on a concrete floor

Do not charge electronic devices

Leave water bodies or lakes quickly

Stay away from electrical appliances