Thunderstorms likely in four regions of country

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms and gusty winds in at least four regions of the country, warning that wind speeds could reach up to 60 kilometres per hour in some areas.

In a warning issued for inland river ports valid until 1:00pm Sunday (May 24), the weather office said the regions of Dinajpur, Mymensingh, Cumilla and Sylhet may experience temporary rain or thunderstorms accompanied by gusty or squally winds blowing from the west or northwest at speeds of 45–60 km/h.

River ports in the affected areas have been advised to hoist cautionary signal No. 1.

The Met Office also said an extension of a low-pressure system stretching from West Bengal to the North Bay remains active, contributing to unstable weather conditions across several parts of the country.

According to a five-day forecast issued Saturday evening, scattered light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are likely in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, as well as isolated areas of Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions through Sunday evening.

Moderately heavy to heavy rainfall may also occur in some parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, the forecast added.

Despite the rain activity, mild heatwave conditions continue to sweep across several districts. The weather office said Dhaka, Faridpur, Madaripur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Chandpur, Lakshmipur and Patuakhali districts, along with the Khulna division, remain under a mild heatwave, which could persist in the coming days.

Meteorologists said both day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged nationwide.