Bangladesh's seaports have lowered their storm warning signals, but the country is expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall over the coming days as active monsoon conditions continue.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Saturday withdrew storm warning signals for Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra seaports. However, it advised fishing boats and trawlers operating in the northern Bay of Bengal to remain cautious until the evening.
The Met Office has kept signal No. 1 in force at several inland river ports. It warned that gusty or squally winds of 45 to 60 km/h from the south or south-east could affect Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Tangail, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Faridpur, Jashore, Kushtia, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Sylhet. The winds may be accompanied by rain or thundershowers.
In a separate warning, the BMD said heavy rainfall of 44 to 88 mm and very heavy rainfall exceeding 88 mm could occur in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions during the 24 hours from noon on Saturday.
Meteorologist AKM Nazmul Haque said the wet conditions were likely to continue across the five divisions for the next few days.
"The rain trend should ease somewhat after the 14th of July," he said.
The forecaster also warned of a heightened risk of landslides in Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari on Saturday and Sunday because of the persistent heavy rainfall.
According to the BMD's regular morning bulletin, a low-pressure area was positioned over central Uttar Pradesh in India, while a broad pressure gradient remained over the northern Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas.
The monsoon trough extended from Punjab and Haryana through the low-pressure centre, Bihar, West Bengal and central Bangladesh to Assam, with another extension reaching the northern Bay of Bengal. The Met Office said the monsoon remained active over Bangladesh and moderate over the northern Bay.
As a result, temporary gusty winds, thunder, and light to moderate rain or thundershowers are expected across most parts of the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions during the 24 hours from 9am on Saturday. Some areas could also receive moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, while day and night temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged across the country.
Rangpur recorded the country's highest temperature during the 24 hours to 9am on Saturday at 34 degrees Celsius, while Kumarkhali in Kushtia recorded the lowest at 24 degrees Celsius.
Chuadanga received the highest rainfall during the same period, with 147 mm. The BMD also recorded 106 mm in Chattogram's Ambagan, 89 mm in Jashore, 80 mm in Bandarban, 79 mm in Sitakunda, 77 mm in Rangamati and 46 mm in Dhaka.
