Alert issued for river ports in 8 regions

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has asked river ports in eight regions to hoist cautionary signal No 1, as temporary gusty or squally winds with speeds of 45-60 kilometres per hour may blow from the south or southeast direction across these areas, accompanied by rain or thundershowers.

The forecast for inland river ports, valid until 1pm on Saturday (July 18), provided this information.

The Met Office said that the regions of Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Sylhet may experience gusty winds and thundershowers until 1pm today. River ports in these areas have been advised to hoist Local Cautionary Signal No 1.

Meanwhile, the morning forecast stated that a well-marked low over north Odisha and adjoining Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal has weakened into a low-pressure area over Bihar and adjoining areas, and is likely to weaken gradually and merge with the monsoon axis.

The axis of the monsoon trough extends through Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, the centre of the low-pressure area, West Bengal and central Bangladesh to Assam. An extension of it extends to the northwest Bay of Bengal. The monsoon is active over the northern part of Bangladesh and fairly active elsewhere in the country, while it is strong over the North Bay .

Under its influence, light to moderately heavy rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds are likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and at many places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions until 9am tomorrow. Additionally, heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur at places over Rangpur Division. Day and night temperatures across the country may remain nearly unchanged .