Due to a low over the Bay and active monsoon winds, moderate to heavy rainfall has been occurring in various parts of the country including Dhaka city and its adjoining areas.
Since Tuesday night, the rain hasn't stopped. Outside Dhaka, especially in the coastal region of the country's southern part, some areas are also experiencing heavy rainfall. Mainly the districts of Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola, Noakhali, Feni, Laksmipur, Cumilla, Chattogram, and Cox's Bazar experienced heavy shower.
Due to the heavy shower and water from upstream, most areas of Feni town went under water upto two to three feet. The people of Feni town and adjacent areas have been facing huge trouble to go outside or return home from works.
Although there was no rain in the morning, the afternoon showers have caused severe inconvenience.
After office hours, the city dwellers faced a shortage of vehicles, increased fares, waterlogging, and traffic congestion. Water has already accumulated in many alleys. As the number of vehicles has decreased due to rain, CNG and rickshaw drivers are charging extra fares.
In some areas, people are stuck in long traffic jams.
Launch services in eight river routes in the coastal region remained suspended due to heavy rainfall and strong monsoon winds leading to swelling river water in the region.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has instructed the launch owners not to ply water vessels in the routes as the coastal belt remained turbulent due to the influence of the monsoon wind.
The river routes are- Bhola-Lakshmipur-Char Fashion-Monpura, Tajumuddin-Monpura, Dowlatkhan-Alekjander, according to M Riad Hossain, Assistant Director of BIWTA, Bhola.
However, the lives of people in the coastal district became devastated due to incessant rains during the last four days.
According to the Meteorological Department, the rainfall may continue for several more days.
The Meteorological Department has issued signal No. 3 at Sea Ports due to the rainfall with the impact of the low. The low-pressure is currently located over Gangetic West Bengal and surrounding areas.
Due to its influence, differences in air pressure have intensified over the northern Bay of Bengal. As a result, squally or gusty winds may sweep across the northern Bay, the coastal areas of Bangladesh, and the maritime ports, according to the Met Office.
The ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal No. 3 and the fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal have been advised to remain close to shore and proceed with caution until further notice.
The Met office forecast for the next 24 hours from 9:00am Tuesday is most areas in Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions and many areas in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions may experience temporary gusty winds with light to moderate rain or thundershowers.
Some places in Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Wednesday's forecast also indicates similar conditions with heavy to moderately heavy rainfall in parts of the country.
Due to active southwest monsoon winds, the Meteorological Department has warned that from 10 AM Tuesday for the next 24 hours, some areas in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and Barishal divisions may receive heavy (44-88 mm) to very heavy (up to 188 mm) rainfall.
There is a risk of landslides in hilly areas of Chattogram due to the intense rainfall. Temporary waterlogging may also occur in some parts of Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna metropolitan areas.
Our correspondent from Feni reports that the district experienced its highest rainfall of the season on Tuesday, recording 253 mm of rain in just 24 hours. This figure was confirmed at 10:00am by Md Mojibur Rahman, Acting Officer of the District Meteorological Office.
Flooding has also hit Rohingya refugee camps, particularly camps 3, 7, 12, and 22, affecting around 15,000 refugees. NGOs are actively involved in rescue and relief operations.
