Two days of heavy rain forecast due to depression

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast heavy rains for two days due to the influence of the depression in the Bay of Bengal.

Meteorologist Abul Kalam Mallik said, “Heavy to very heavy rain may pour across the country over the 48 hours from 11am on Thursday. There is a possibility of landslides in the hilly areas of Chattogram.”

Stating that it will rain on Sunday as well, Mallik said: “After that, the rain will become much less intense. The depression may further intensify. If it gains strength and reaches the next stage, we will call it a deep depression and there is some possibility of that too.”

A low-pressure system formed in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, later intensifying into a well-marked. It further intensified into a depression around 6am on Thursday.

In its special weather bulletin, the BMD said that the depression was located about 405 km west-southwest of Chattogram Port, 395km west-southwest of Cox’s Bazar Port, 230km southwest of Mongla Port, and 245km southwest of Payra Port at 6am on Thursday.

It is likely to move in nearly northwards direction and intensify further. Also, as its impact, the north Bay of Bengal, coastal areas, and maritime ports may have gusty and squally winds blowing over them.

The maximum sustained wind speed within 44km of the centre of the system was about 40kph, rising to 50 kph in gusts and squalls.

The met office advised the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra to keep local cautionary signal No. 3 hoisted as the sea turned rough near the depression centre.

Also, all fishing boats and trawlers in the north bay and deep sea have been advised to keep close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

The Met Office forecast for the inland river ports said light to moderate rain or thundershowers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty or squally wind with a speed of 60 to 80kph is likely to occur over Dhaka, Madaripur, Faridpur, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla and Chattogram from the direction of west or northwest from 9am to 6pm on Thursday.

The river ports in these areas have been advised to hoist cautionary signal No. 2.

The regular weather bulletin showed that light to moderate rain or thundershowers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty or squally wind was likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at some places over the country.

The day and night temperatures are likely to remain unchanged across the country. The rainfall is expected to continue for one or two more days.

The maximum rainfall in the country was recorded at 61mm in Teknaf on Wednesday. The maximum temperature in the country was recorded at 37 degrees Celsius in Rangpur’s Dimla.