Staff Reporter:

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in six divisions, including Dhaka, over the next 24 hours, with thunderstorms accompanied by rain likely across all eight divisions.

In its weather bulletin issued at 9:00am on Sunday (12 July), the Met Office said very heavy rainfall may occur at places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.

The department said the axis of the monsoon trough extends through Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and the central part of Bangladesh to Assam, with one of its extensions stretching into the northern Bay of Bengal.

It said the monsoon is active over Bangladesh and remains in a moderate state over the northern Bay of Bengal, creating favourable conditions for widespread rainfall.

According to the forecast, most places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions are likely to experience light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds. Moderately heavy to heavy rainfall is also expected at places.

The Met Office said day and night temperatures across the country are likely to remain nearly unchanged during the forecast period.

Meanwhile, Patuakhali recorded the country’s highest rainfall over the past 24 hours, with 132 millimetres of precipitation.