Unexpected spell of rain triggers traffic congestion across Dhaka

An unexpected spell of rain triggered traffic congestion across Dhaka on Saturday evening, causing suffering for commuters.

The light rain, accompanied by thundershowers, began shortly after 6:00 pm and lasted only a few minutes.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), 7.2 mm of rainfall was recorded between 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm on the day.

“This falls within the normal pre-monsoon criteria. Typically, the pre-monsoon season begins in March, but this year it arrived in the last week of February,” said Quazi Jebunnessa, a meteorologist at the BMD.

The Met Office had predicted rain or thundershowers in one or two places across Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, she said.

Despite an overcast sky since Saturday morning, the unseasonal rain caught many off guard.

Commuters faced difficulties returning home as the rain disrupted traffic. Many also struggled to board overcrowded buses, adding to their woes.

According to the Met Office’s regular bulletin, “Rain or thundershowers is likely to occur at one or two places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, and Mymensingh divisions, while the weather is expected to remain mostly dry with a temporarily partly cloudy sky elsewhere in the country.”

Besides, light to moderate fog may form in some areas late at night and persist until early morning.

Night and day temperatures may remain nearly unchanged across the country.

Meanwhile, a trough of westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low is positioned over the South Bay.