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Incessant monsoon rains battered the capital and other parts of the country on Wednesday, disrupting daily life and prompting warnings of landslides and flash floods.
Dhaka recorded 77mm of rain in 24 hours until 6am on Wednesday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
The highest rainfall during this period was recorded in Feni at 399mm.
The BMD forecast moderate to heavy rainfall (44-88 mm/24 hrs) to very heavy rainfall (>88 mm/24 hrs) across Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and Barishal divisions till today (Thursday), driven by an active southwest monsoon.
However, it said the rain is expected to ease in the next 24 hours.
Low-lying areas face heightened risks of water-logging, while hilly regions in Chattogram and Cox's Bazar are on alert for landslides.
The BMD weather alert issued on Wednesday stated that the downpour is likely to occur in parts of Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and Barishal divisions between 10am on Wednesday and the next 24 hours.
Its five-day nationwide rain alert, issued earlier, warned of intense monsoon activities, a prediction now unfolding across the country.
In Dhaka, rainfall began early on July 8 and continued unabated, easing recent heatwaves - where temperatures hit 37-38°C - but causing widespread suffering.
The heavy showers made roads waterlogged in the capital, causing severe traffic congestion and commuting delays.
Besides, Dhaka's temperature fell to around 27°C, providing relief after weeks of scorching heat.
However, the persistent rain threatens further disruptions, with urban infrastructure strained and rural areas bracing for flooding.
In Dhaka, office-goers and students suffered as they could not reach their respective destinations due to public transport scarcity on Wednesday morning.
The transports, including rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, and CNG-run vehicles, charged passengers extra fares.
On the other hand, buses faced passenger shortages due to the inclement weather.
City dwellers in Jatrabari, Maniknagar, Basabo, Khilgaon, Kamalapur, Malibagh, Kazipara, Sheorapara, Natun Bazar, Vatara, New Market, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Niketon, and other areas faced trouble due to water-logging.
Road traffic was light as people who had no urgent work did not go out.
"We could not go out due to water-logging caused by the monsoon rain," said Sultana Razia, a resident of Jatrabari.
Md Abid Hasan, a private service holder who works in Motijheel, said he had to pay Tk 180 in rickshaw fare to reach his office from Jatrabari.
He said the usual fare ranges between Tk 100 and Tk 120.
Buses on different routes witnessed a lack of passengers.
"Due to rains, there are a small number of passengers. On usual days, no seat remains vacant during the office commute time in the morning," said Suman Mia, who works as a helper on a bus on the Gazipur-Sayedabad route.
There was knee-deep water at Khilgaon Govt Colony School and College, Ansar Quarter, and other adjacent areas.
Amid the continuous rainfall over the past few days, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) formed ward-based emergency response teams to tackle potential waterlogging.
It also activated a central control room, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.
According to the BMD, a low pressure over the Gangetic West Bengal and its adjoining areas is causing cloudy skies and light to moderate rain in Dhaka and the surrounding areas.
Winds from the southeast or south are expected to blow at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometres per hour, accompanied by rains.
DSCC Public Relations Officer Md Rasel Rahman said the corporation has taken urgent measures to ease public suffering.
Workers from the DSCC waste management department are actively working in every ward to ensure that the drainage system remains unobstructed and water recedes quickly.
"In addition, special emergency response teams have been formed in each ward. These teams are prepared to respond swiftly to any water-logging situation that may arise due to rainfall," the press statement said.
"Our teams are monitoring the situation in every ward. We urge citizens to report immediately if they notice any water-logging or blocked drains in their area," it further said.
To report water-logging, a control room hotline (01709900888) has been made available, which will remain open 24/7 to provide assistance.
Public Relations officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md Zubair Hossain said their teams are prepared to tackle water-logging.
In its regular bulletin, the BMD said the low pressure area over the Gangetic West Bengal and the surrounding regions remains in the same position, prompting it to instruct the country's maritime ports to maintain local cautionary signal no 3.
Apart from Feni, significant rainfall (208mm) was also recorded in Noakhali's Maijdee Court. There was 275mm of rainfall in Patuakhali, 180mm in Sitakunda, 168mm in Bhola, and 162mm in Barishal.
In the last 24 hours, the highest temperature was recorded in Nilphamari's Dimla at 34.8 degrees Celsius, while the lowest was in Tangail at 22.7 degrees Celsius.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com