Low pressure in bay to trigger heavy rainfall from Friday

Heavy rainfall is expected across various parts of Bangladesh, including coastal areas and the capital, starting Friday due to the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal. 

Meteorologists predict this rain may continue for three days, with the heaviest downpour likely on Saturday. Afterward, temperatures across the country are expected to drop.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department announced Monday morning that the seasonal trough in the southern Bay of Bengal has extended into the northern Bay, with the potential for a low-pressure system to form within 24 hours.

Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallick, a meteorologist at the department, said: “Rain may begin on Friday, with a stronger possibility of rainfall on Saturday. Some areas may experience lingering rain or cloudy skies on Sunday. Coastal areas will likely see the most impact, but other regions, including Sylhet, Brahmanbaria, and Dhaka, may also receive rain. However, Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions have a lower chance of rainfall.”

He added that the system’s formation near Odisha’s coast in India could influence Bangladesh's weather, with certainty about rainfall patterns becoming clearer by Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly in the next few days before the rain begins, followed by a notable drop afterward.

Mustafa Kamal Palash, Chief Meteorologist at abohawa.com, warned of record-breaking rainfall on Saturday and Sunday, comparable to the heavy rain seen on February 4-5, 2022.

“A low-pressure system is expected to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal on December 18-19, coinciding with a strong western low-pressure system passing over India and Bangladesh. Their combined impact could result in unprecedented winter rain across Bangladesh,” he said.

Mostafa Kamal said Khulna, Barisal, Dhaka, and Chattogram divisions will face the highest rainfall and Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions will face moderate shower and there will be light rain in Rangpur division.

Mostafa Kamal advised potato farmers in Khulna, Barisal, Dhaka, and Chattogram divisions to halt irrigation until December 22 to avoid potential waterlogging. He urged farmers in southern regions to prepare drainage systems to manage excess water and mitigate losses. Heavy rains could significantly impact agricultural output, particularly for potato farmers already facing challenges.

The lowest temperature recorded on Sunday was 9.2°C in Srimangal, Moulvibazar, while the capital experienced 13.9°C. Yesterday, the lowest temperature was 9.3°C in Tentulia, Panchagarh, with Dhaka’s minimum at 15.8°C.