Met Office Warns of Heavy Downpours and Thundershowers Nationwide

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued a comprehensive 120-hour weather outlook predicting widespread light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by gusty winds and severe thundershowers, across major divisions including Dhaka and Chattogram. Meteorologists warn that several regions should prepare for heavy to very heavy localized downpours over the coming five days.

According to the official bulletin released at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, 18 August, the land depression situated over Jharkhand and adjoining areas has drifted slightly west-northwestwards. Synoptic conditions indicate that the system is expected to weaken gradually into a well-marked low-pressure area over the next 24 hours as it continues its movement across neighbouring eastern India. Meanwhile, the axis of the monsoon trough runs through Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, the centre of the land depression, and the southern part of Bangladesh, extending towards Assam.

Monsoon activity remains active over Bangladesh and exceptionally strong over the North Bay of Bengal, creating conditions highly conducive to heavy precipitation and squally weather across maritime ports and coastal districts.

For the initial 24-hour period ending Wednesday evening, light to moderate rain or thundershowers driven by temporary squalls are anticipated in many places across the Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Similar weather patterns will affect scattered locations in the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Dhaka divisions, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely in isolated pockets. Both day and night temperatures are expected to register a slight rise nationwide.

Over the subsequent 24 hours starting Wednesday evening, 19 August, precipitation will persist in many areas across Rangpur, Mymensingh, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet, while fewer places in Rajshahi, Dhaka, and Khulna will see moderate showers. Daytime and night-time temperatures should remain largely unchanged.

By Thursday evening, 20 August, monsoon rain is projected to intensify again, affecting many parts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Khulna, Chattogram, and Sylhet, along with localized spots in Dhaka and Barishal. Intense spells of heavy downpours are forecast in several areas, alongside a slight increase in ambient temperatures.

Heading into Friday, 21 August, widespread rainfall will cover most areas of Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet. On Saturday, 22 August, the rain band will shift slightly, maintaining a heavy presence over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, and Sylhet, while offering brief pauses in Rajshahi, Barishal, and Chattogram.

The Meteorological Department urges river ports and urban municipal authorities to remain vigilant against localized waterlogging and flash runoff, particularly in vulnerable low-lying areas and hilly terrains subject to heavy downpours.