Rain accompanied by thunderstorms is likely to affect Dhaka and 13 other regions from the early hours of Monday (21 April), the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has announced.
In a Facebook update posted on Monday morning, the department stated that between 6:45am and the next two to four hours, parts of Dhaka, Kishoreganj, Mymensingh, Sirajganj, Tangail, Bogura, Pabna, Gaibandha, Dinajpur, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram and Sylhet may experience rain or thundershowers, with wind speeds potentially exceeding 45–60 kilometres per hour.
Since dawn, the capital has remained under an oppressive overcast sky, with dark clouds still blanketing Dhaka as of 7:30am.
A special bulletin issued by the Storm Warning Centre of the BMD echoed the morning advisory, forecasting rain or thundershowers in Dhaka and its surrounding areas, along with stronger-than-usual winds and a possible rise in daytime temperature.
The six-hour forecast from 7:00am for Dhaka and nearby regions predicted partly cloudy to temporarily cloudy skies, with the likelihood of rain or thunderstorms. Winds from the south or southeast may blow at 8–12 km/h, potentially increasing to 30–40 km/h later in the day. A slight rise in daytime temperature is also expected.
At 6:00am on Monday, the highest recorded temperature in Dhaka was 28.2°C, with a minimum of 28.0°C, and relative humidity at 87 per cent. The maximum temperature on Sunday stood at 34.4°C. Rainfall was also recorded in the capital over the previous 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the national forecast issued by the BMD on Sunday night suggested that scattered locations in the Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, as well as isolated areas in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions, may experience temporary gusty winds, lightning and rain or thundershowers today. Temperatures across the country are expected to rise slightly, both during the day and at night.
