Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has warned that a cyclone may form in the Bay of Bengal in the latter half of May, while severe Nor’westers and heatwaves are also likely to hit different parts of the country during the month.
One or two low-pressure systems may develop in the Bay in the second half of May and one of them could intensify into a depression or cyclone, Meteorologist at the BMD Storm Warning Centre Dr Md Bazlur Rashid said.
The country may also experience thunderstorms, Nor’westers and one to three heatwaves during the month, he added.
The forecast said scattered light to moderate Nor’westers and thunderstorms may occur on five to eight days in May, while severe Nor’westers may strike for two to three days.
Hailstorms may also hit some areas.
One to three mild to moderate heatwaves may sweep across the country, with one potentially turning severe and pushing temperatures to between 40 and 41.9 degrees Celsius, according to the BMD forecast.
The country is likely to receive normal rainfall in May, although some regions may experience heavy rainfall, BMD Director (Current Charge) and Expert Committee on Long-Range Forecast Chairman Md Momenul Islam said.
Sylhet division is expected to receive the highest rainfall at 520-540 millimetres during the month.
Mymensingh may receive 340-360 millimetres of rainfall, Chattogram 330-350 millimetres, Rangpur 260-280 millimetres and Dhaka 250-270 millimetres.
Barishal division may receive 220-250 millimetres of rainfall, while Rajshahi may get 170-190 millimetres and Khulna 160-180 millimetres.
The forecast said river flow in major rivers is likely to remain normal in May, although isolated heavy rainfall in northern, northeastern and southeastern regions may temporarily raise water levels.
According to the agricultural weather outlook, rainfall and soil moisture conditions are expected to remain favourable for seasonal farming activities.
BMD data showed the country recorded 75.7 per cent higher rainfall than normal in April.
Barishal division recorded the highest rainfall deviation with 169.5 per cent above-normal rainfall, followed by Mymensingh with 150.9 per cent and Sylhet with 104.4 per cent.
Dhaka division recorded 213 millimetres of rainfall in April against the normal level of 119 millimetres, while Sylhet recorded 603 millimetres against the normal 295 millimetres.
Meteorologists said heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred across most parts of the country in April under the combined influence of western low pressure and easterly winds.
The highest single-day rainfall in April was recorded in Nikli of Kishoreganj, where 160 millimetres of rainfall was measured on April 28.
Several spells of heatwaves also swept across the country during April due to thermal low pressure over West Bengal and adjoining western parts of Bangladesh.
The highest temperature last month was recorded at 40 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi on April 22, while the lowest temperature was 16 degrees Celsius in Rangamati.
