Bangladesh to endure sweltering heat for another day

The sweltering heat felt across Bangladesh following recent rainfall in the middle of the Bengali month of Ashwin is expected to continue for another day, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

“Most parts of the country are experiencing sweltering conditions. This heat may continue for one more day, after which relief is expected from Tuesday,” Meteorologist Md Omar Faruk told bdnews24.com on Sunday afternoon.

“Rainfall is likely across nearly all divisions starting Tuesday, and this rain could persist for three to four days,” he added.

According to the regular 9am bulletin from the Meteorological Department on Sunday, a segment of the monsoon trough extends over the North Bay of Bengal, maintaining moderate conditions. The monsoon remains fairly active over Bangladesh.

Due to the effects of the monsoon, most areas in Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, parts of Dhaka division, and a few places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions may experience temporary gusty winds accompanied by light to moderate rainfall or thunderstorms.

Some areas in Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions may witness moderate to heavy downpours.

Day and night temperatures are expected to remain mostly unchanged across the country.

In the last 24 hours, the highest temperature in the country was recorded in Jashore at 32.8°C, while the lowest was 22.4°C in Tetulia.

During the same period, the highest rainfall was recorded in Netrakona, Mymensingh, with 37mm, followed by Sylhet with 32mm, Tetulia with 30mm, Dinajpur with 28mm, and Nilphamari’s Dimla with 24mm.

FLOOD SITUATION IMPROVING

With heavy rainfall easing, water levels in almost all rivers across the country have dropped below the danger mark, except for one point on the Teesta River, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Water Development Board reported.

According to the Centre’s Sunday bulletin, the Teesta River at Kaunia in Rangpur was flowing 32cm above the danger level on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, despite rising water levels in the Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers, they remain below the danger mark.

The bulletin, citing weather agencies, said heavy rainfall in the Rangpur Division and its upstream areas has reduced.

The water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers may increase in the next 24 hours but are expected to decrease over the following two days.

In the next 24 hours, water from the Teesta River may flood char lands and some low-lying areas in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram, and Gaibandha districts, as the river is likely to rise above the danger mark.

However, water levels in the Teesta are expected to decrease below the danger level over the next two days. The Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers are also forecast to stay below the danger mark over the next three days.

Water levels in the upper Karotoa, upper Atrai, Punarbhaba, Ichamati-Jamuna, Ghagot, and Jamuneswari rivers in Rangpur division are increasing, though still flowing below the danger mark, with the Tangon River’s water levels receding. These rivers’ water levels are expected to remain stable over the next 24 hours and decrease in the subsequent two days.

In the Brahmaputra River in the Rangpur Division and downstream in the Jamuna River, water levels are also rising, though staying below the danger mark.

The water levels are expected to rise for the next two days and then remain stable for three more days, while still flowing below the danger mark.

In Rajshahi Division, the water levels in the Ganges are falling, while the water levels in its downstream section, the Padma River, remain stable.

The Ganges-Padma water levels may slowly fall over the next 24 hours, stabilise for a day, and rise over the following three days, although the water is expected to remain below the danger mark.

In Rajshahi Division, the Karotoa, Atrai, Bangali, and Chhoto Jamuna rivers are rising, while the water in the Mahananda River is stable and below the danger mark. These rivers are likely to continue rising for the next 24 hours, stabilising the following day.

Meanwhile, the bulletin said water levels in the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in Sylhet Division are stable, with expectations for a rise over the next three days, though still below the danger mark.

Water levels in the Manu, Khowai, Dhalai, Bhugai, and Someshwari rivers are falling, while the Sarigoyain and Kangsha rivers remain stable. Water levels in these rivers are expected to fall in the next day and remain stable for the following two days.

In the Chattogram Division, water levels in the Muhuri, Feni, Halda, Matamuhuri, and Gomti rivers are falling, while levels in the Sangu River are stable and below the danger mark.

Water levels in these rivers are expected to decrease in the next 24 hours.

The bulletin also forecasts heavy rainfall in Chattogram Division and its upstream areas over the next two days, which may raise water levels in the Muhuri, Gomti, and Feni rivers, though they are expected to remain below the danger mark. Water levels in the Halda, Matamuhuri, and Sangu rivers are likely to remain stable.