Met Office forecasts continuous rains from Sunday, possible landslides

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast incessant rainfall across the country starting Sunday following days of scorching heat.

The spell of rains could also trigger landslides in the country’s southeastern hill regions, it warned.

“Rain will start tomorrow [Sunday] and become heavier from the day after. Daily rainfall is expected across the country through Jun 22,” Abul Kalam Mallik, a senior meteorologist, said on Saturday.

The hilly regions of Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Rangamati, and Cox’s Bazar face an increased risk of landslides due to the prolonged rainfall, Mallik said.

He added that some areas may experience temporary waterlogging, as well as gusty or stormy winds accompanied by lightning.

“Lightning-related deaths have been rising. At the first sound of thunder, people must take shelter indoors -- there is no alternative,” Mallik warned.

Bangladesh typically receives 459.4mm of average rainfall in June, 523mm in July, 420.4mm in August, and 318.2mm in September, according to data from the BMD.

In its regular weather bulletin issued on Saturday, the Met Office said light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by occasional gusts, may occur in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, with isolated showers in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barishal.

Some regions may also experience moderately heavy rainfall, it said.