Dhaka sees wettest day of the season, more rain expected

Dhaka has experienced the highest single-day rainfall of the season, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

The capital received 196mm of rain in the 24 hours to 6:00am on Friday, said Meteorologist Shahnaz Sultana.

The highest rainfall in the country during this period was recorded at 285mm in Noakhali's Maijdee Court. Several other districts also experienced heavy rainfall. Chandpur saw 242mm, Cumilla 179mm, Faridpur 171mm, Chattogram 164mm, and Narayanganj 161mm of rain. Madaripur, Feni, and Patuakhali's Khepupara each received 160mm of rainfall.

Barishal recorded 141mm, Rangamati 140mm, Kishoreganj's Nikli 131mm, Manikganj's Aricha 119mm, Bandarban 113mm, Bogura 112mm, and Netrakona 104mm of rainfall. Other parts of the country experienced varying levels of rain.

According to standard meteorological classification, rainfall between 1 and 10mm is considered light, 11 to 22mm is moderate, 23 to 43mm is moderately heavy, 44 to 88mm is heavy, and anything over 88mm is classified as very heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, a land depression has formed over Tangail and rain is expected in most parts of the country, according to Shahnaz. The local warning signal No. 3 is in effect at the country's maritime ports.

The weather system originated as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday. It gradually intensified into a well-marked low, before developed into a depression by Thursday morning. It eventually turned into a deep depression.

As a result, the BMP forecast heavy to very heavy rain in many parts of the Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions on Friday. At 9:00am, the depression was centred over Tangail and its surrounding regions. It is expected to move further north or northeast before weakening gradually while continuing to bring rain.

The system also led to the formation of deep convective clouds over the north Bay of Bengal and coastal regions of Bangladesh, increasing the likelihood of strong winds in those areas. As a precaution, the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra were advised to hoist local cautionary signal No. 3.

Fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay have been asked to stay close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

The river port warning issued on Friday morning noted that between 9:00am and 6:00pm, the regions of Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and Sylhet could experience rain or thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds blowing from the south or southeast at speeds of 60 to 80kph. River ports in these areas were advised to hoist signal No. 2.

Meanwhile, other regions could experience gusty winds at 45 to 60kph, with river ports in those areas instructed to hoist signal No. 1.

In its regular weather bulletin, the Met Office forecast that in the 24 hours from 9:00am Friday, most areas in the Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, and many areas in the Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, could experience light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds and lightning. Additionally, some places in the Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions could see moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall.