Dhaka swamped after country’s highest rainfall as seaports stay on alert

Dhaka has experienced the country’s highest rainfall in the last 24 hours as the Met Office kept local warning signal No. 3 in place at the country's seaports.

Rain began in Dhaka around midnight on Thursday and intensified through the night, reports bdnews24.com.

The showers continued until Friday morning, causing waterlogging in different parts of the city.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Dhaka recorded 47mm of rain in the 24 hours to 6am on Friday, the highest in the country.

The capital received another 6mm between 6am and noon.

Russel Hossain, a resident of Moghbazar's Wireless area, said “Heavy rain has left the lanes in the area under water. City corporation workers came here later in the day.”

Tejgaon resident Omar Faruk said rainwater had built up on a number of roads in the area.

“Although the water later receded from some roads, several places are still submerged,” he said.

Ali Haidar Patwari, who lives in South Para in Mohakhali, said the roads were under water when he woke up in the morning after heavy overnight rain.

“The water gradually receded by around 11am. People throw rubbish, which blocks manholes and drains. When it rains, that leads to waterlogging,” he said.

Warning Signal No. 3 Remains

In a special warning on Friday, the Met Office said steep pressure differences continued over the North Bay and adjoining areas.

It asked the Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra seaports to keep displaying local warning signal No. 3.

Fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay have also been advised to stay close to the coast and move cautiously until further notice.

Rain Likely Across All Divisions

The Met Office has forecast rain in varying degrees across all divisions, including Dhaka.

In its regular bulletin issued on Friday morning, it said many areas of the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions could see light to moderate rain or thundershowers over the next 24 hours, accompanied at times by gusty or squally winds and lightning.

It also said moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in parts of the country.

Day and night temperatures may rise slightly across the country during this period.

“Dhaka is likely to see rain until the 5th of May, after which it will ease. Rainfall may be slightly lower on the 2nd and 3rd of this month, before increasing again on the 4th and 5th. After the 5th, the likelihood of rains will decline across the country.”

In the 24 hours to 6am on Friday, the country’s highest temperature was recorded in Jashore at 31.6 degrees Celsius.

The lowest was recorded in Panchagarh's Tetulia at 19.6 degrees Celsius.

Besides Dhaka, the BMD recorded 34mm of rain in Khulna's Koyra, 29mm in Satkhira, 27mm in Khulna and 26mm in Jashore.