Heavy rain likely to batter Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of the Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions over the coming days.

Meteorologist Md Omar Faruk told bdnews24.com on Monday that intense showers are expected in the three divisions from May 13.

The wet spell may first hit Rangpur harder before shifting towards Mymensingh and Sylhet from the following day, he added.

Faruk noted that the trend of rainfall in Sylhet and its surrounding areas is likely to persist after May 15, adding that the department will issue updates as monitoring continues.

Under weather classifications, rainfall between 44mm and 88mm within 24 hours is considered “heavy”, while anything above 88mm falls under the “very heavy” category.

In a warning issued on Monday, the Met Office said thunderclouds could form over inland areas and persist for several days.

Their impact may bring intense downpours to parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet during the 72 hours to 6pm on May 13.

The agency also warned of temporary waterlogging in low-lying parts of Sylhet Division due to the expected downpour.

A 120-hour forecast issued from 9am on Monday says rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds and lightning may affect parts of Sylhet Division on the first day, along with isolated areas in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions.

On May 12, similar conditions may persist in parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet, while the rest of the country may see mainly dry weather with partly cloudy skies.

On May 13, light to moderate showers or thundershowers with gusty winds and lightning may occur in parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Sylhet, and at isolated places in Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram.

Some areas in Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet may also face moderate to heavy falls.

The BMD expects the rain to intensify on the fourth day, May 14, with many parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet seeing light to moderate rain.

Parts of the three northern and northeastern divisions could experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.

On May 15, the trend is expected to continue with light to moderate rain across most divisions, while Mymensingh and Sylhet remain at risk of moderate to very heavy downpours.

In the 24 hours leading up to 6am on Monday, the country's highest rainfall was recorded at 64mm in Kishoreganj's Nikli.

During the same period, the mercury hit a peak of 36°C in Lakshmipur’s Ramgati.