The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a comprehensive advisory, warning residents and mariners across 13 districts—including the capital city of Dhaka—of impending thunderstorms and severe weather conditions expected to strike by midday. The official directive, issued under the signature of meteorologist Md Omar Farooq, calls for heightened vigilance as volatile atmospheric systems move across key areas of the country.

Meteorological analyses indicate that transient squalls arriving from the west or north-west are projected to develop rapidly, generating localized wind speeds between 45 and 60 kilometres per hour. These sudden, intense gusts are expected to be accompanied by widespread rain and potentially hazardous lightning. To mitigate the risk of accidents along Bangladesh’s dense network of inland waterways, officials have mandated that all river ports situated within the vulnerable districts hoist Cautionary Signal Number 1.

The meteorological alert covers a broad geographic corridor comprising thirteen key districts:

• Central & Northern Districts: Dhaka, Faridpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Kushtia, and Jashore

• Southern & Coastal Districts: Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, and Cox’s Bazar

Seasonal weather transitions in Bangladesh frequently produce high-intensity nor’westers (locally known as Kalbaishakhi), caused by the interaction of warm, moist maritime air with cooler air masses flowing from the land. These localized storms bring severe operational challenges to riverine transit, which serves as a critical transport lifeline for millions. Small craft and non-motorized riverboats face elevated risks of capsizing under sudden 60 km/h wind gusts and severe surface turbulence.

Port authorities, ferry operators, and local administrations across the affected riverine and coastal zones have been urged to enforce safety protocols strictly. Commuters relying on water transport are advised to stay informed through official weather bulletins, while vessel captains have been instructed to exercise utmost prudence until atmospheric conditions stabilize.