Rainfall to intensify across country, storm warning issued for 15 regions

Rainfall is set to increase across Bangladesh over the next five days, with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecasting widespread showers, thunderstorms and isolated heavy downpours as the monsoon gathers momentum.

According to Wednesday's weather bulletin, many areas of Chattogram and Sylhet divisions and parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna and Barishal divisions are likely to experience light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds. Heavy rainfall is also expected in some places.

Despite the increase in rainfall, both daytime and nighttime temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged.

Meanwhile, the BMD's Storm Warning Centre has forecast temporary squalls with wind speeds of 45-60 km/h, accompanied by rain or thunderstorms, over Rajshahi, Pabna, Jashore, Kushtia, Khulna, Faridpur, Madaripur, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Tangail, Mymensingh and Sylhet by Wednesday afternoon.

River ports in the affected areas have been advised to hoist Local Cautionary Signal No. 1.

Rain has already begun in Dhaka and surrounding areas since late Tuesday night. The weather office said showers and thunderstorms may continue in and around the capital until 1:00pm on Wednesday (July 1), with southerly to south-easterly winds blowing at 10-15 km/h.

The rainfall is expected to bring a slight drop in daytime temperatures, offering some relief after recent heatwave conditions in several parts of the country.

The BMD recorded Dhaka's temperature at 27 degrees Celsius at 6:00am on Wednesday. Sunrise was at 5:15am, while sunset is expected at 6:50pm.