Rainfall has already begun across coastal areas, including Cox’s Bazar, since Sunday morning due to active monsoon and a deepening low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.
Met office foresees rain to increase from Monday and gradually spread across the country from Tuesday, with intermittent rainfall expected throughout the week.
Speaking to TIMES on Monday morning, met expert Md. Tariful Newaz Kabir said the monsoon is currently active over Bangladesh and moderately strong over the northern Bay of Bengal. In addition, a well-marked low-pressure area has formed over the sea, bringing a likelihood of rain over most parts of the country. As a precaution, maritime ports in coastal areas have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal No. 3, while river ports have been instructed to display cautionary signal No. 1.
Kabir further said that on Sunday, heatwaves swept over Panchagarh, Rangpur and Nilphamari, while mild heatwaves also affected Tangail, Mymensingh, Chuadanga, and Kushtia districts, along with parts of Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Sylhet and the remaining areas of Rangpur division. However, the heatwave is expected to ease from Monday, with no significant heatwave forecast for Tuesday as rains are expected to increase across the country under the influence of the low-pressure system.
According to the BMD’s weather advisory, due to the formation of the low-pressure system over the northern Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, differences in air pressure are prevailing in the region. Squally or gusty winds may sweep over the northern Bay of Bengal, coastal areas of Bangladesh, and maritime ports.
The advisory also stated that Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra seaports have been instructed to keep local cautionary signal No. 3 hoisted. Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the northern Bay of Bengal have been advised to stay close to the coast and proceed with caution.
Meteorologist Afroza Sultana noted that rainfall is likely to intensify again from Monday under the influence of the low-pressure system. The rainy spell is expected to persist throughout the week, though not continuously. Heavy showers accompanied by gusty winds may occur in some areas.
A separate heavy rainfall warning from the BMD indicated that between Monday morning and the next 24 hours, parts of Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions may experience heavy (44-88 millimetres) to very heavy (above 88 millimetres) rainfall. Temporary waterlogging could occur in some areas of these divisions due to the heavy downpour.
Earlier this month, Feni recorded 440 millimetres of rainfall on 8 July — the highest recorded in the district so far this year. The downpour triggered flash flooding in Feni and caused waterlogging in parts of Noakhali. However, the flood situation in Feni has slightly improved after rainfall subsided since Thursday.
