Storms, heavy rain likely in 12 regions; waterlogging feared

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds of up to 60 kilometres per hour in 12 regions across the country, urging river ports in the affected areas to hoist cautionary Signal No. 1.

The warning is valid until 6pm on Wednesday (September 2), according to the department’s forecast for the country’s inland river ports.

According to it's forecast, Pabna, Dhaka, Faridpur, Jashore, Kushtia, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar may experience temporary rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty or squally winds from the south or southeast at speeds of 45–60kmph.

Meanwhile, many parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may see light to moderate rain or thundershowers with gusty winds during the same period. Some areas could also receive moderate to very heavy rainfall.

Daytime temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged across the country, while nighttime temperatures may fall slightly, the department said.

The Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT), meanwhile, has warned that several parts of the country could face temporary waterlogging over the next 48 hours due to periods of moderate to exceptionally heavy rainfall.

According to its forecast, two to four spells of moderate to heavy rain could affect large parts of the southwest, northwest, central and hilly regions. The areas at risk include Khulna, Satkhira, Jashore, Jhenaidah, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Magura, Narail, Bagerhat, Meherpur, Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Bogura, Sirajganj, Pabna, Rajbari, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Munshiganj, Manikganj, Gopalganj, Tangail, Dhaka, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Patuakhali, Feni, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Brahmanbaria, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Netrokona, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj and Sylhet, along with adjoining areas.

Some locations in these regions may experience brief spells of exceptionally heavy rainfall, BWOT said.

In contrast, parts of Barguna, Bhola, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Natore, Joypurhat, Gaibandha, Dinajpur, Kurigram, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Rangpur may receive one to three spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers, with some areas seeing moderate to heavy downpours.

BWOT said weather conditions remain favourable for sudden rainfall at any time and advised people to exercise caution when planning outdoor activities over the next 48 hours, particularly work that depends on dry weather.

The organisation also warned that temporary waterlogging could develop in low-lying and urban areas of Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions as rainfall intensifies.