Dhaka records 76mm rain in six hours, 97mm in 24 hours

Heavy rain lashed the capital for a sixth straight hour on Sunday (July 12), dumping 76 millimetres of rainfall between midnight and 6:00am and triggering waterlogging across major roads that left school-goers and office commuters stranded during the first working day of the week.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the six-hour rainfall total was the highest recorded in the capital so far this month. Over the previous 24 hours, ending at 6:00am today, the city recorded 97 millimetres of rain.

"Rainfall of this intensity has not been recorded in the capital at this time of the month," meteorologist Md. Tariful Newaz Kabir said, citing the six-hour tally from midnight to dawn.

Kabir said the downpour was driven by a depression over the Bay of Bengal, an active monsoon current, and pressure variations that have brought rain to different parts of the country over the past week.

He added that Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Chattogram divisions are likely to experience more heavy rainfall throughout Sunday, although rainfall may ease from Monday.

The downpour left several major roads submerged, creating traffic congestion and disrupting normal activities across the city. Water accumulated in areas including Bijoy Sarani, Manik Mia Avenue, Karwan Bazar, Dhanmondi and Kazipara in Mirpur, while many low-lying streets and residential lanes also went under water.

The ongoing spell of heavy rain has also worsened flooding in several parts of the country. Flood conditions have already developed in seven districts, while authorities continue to monitor the evolving weather situation.