Cool showers soothe Dhaka’s heatwave; more rain expected

A light to moderate spell of rain washed over parts of Dhaka on Thursday morning, offering welcome relief to residents weary of the sweltering summer heat.

The early showers, lasting around an hour, dampened the capital’s concrete landscape — from high-rise buildings to narrow alleyways — creating a cooler and calmer ambience across the city.

With temperatures dropping slightly and a blanket of grey clouds hanging overhead, many Dhaka residents found momentary solace from the recent oppressive conditions.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) noted that further rainfall is likely later in the day, as the sky remains overcast.

Commuters and office-goers navigating the slick roads braced themselves for more showers, while street vendors and pedestrians adjusted their routines in anticipation.

The BMD, in a bulletin issued on Wednesday, had forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by lightning and temporary gusty winds, in most parts of the country including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions — for Thursday.

In some areas, rainfall may intensify to moderately heavy or even very heavy, it warned.

This shifting weather pattern is expected to persist over the next two days.

The Met Office said that light to moderate rain or thundershowers, combined with gusty winds and lightning, will likely continue in many regions, signalling the gradual transition into the country’s pre-monsoon phase.

For many Dhakaites, today’s rain may be a sign of welcome change — not just in temperature, but in mood.

After weeks of heat, even an hour of rain can feel like a breath of fresh air.