CHATTOGRAM, Sept 13: Almost all of the low-lying areas of the port city were submerged due to heavy rain on Friday. The meteorological office said that the rain would continue for two more days.
The heavy showers and the waterlogging disrupted the normal life of the city. The streets were seen empty, with very little movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
The meteorological department advised to hoist the signal number 3 for the Chattogram seaport due to the rough weather.
The Bay of Bengal was also very rough Friday due to monsoon winds.
Officials from the Chattogram district administration have warned of the risk of landslides due to the monsoon rain.
They have taken several steps to relocate residents from hillsides.
Meteorologists from the Patenga Met Office have expressed fear that heavy rain could trigger landslides in mountainous areas of the Chattogram division.
Over 50,000 people living on hillsides in Chattogram are at high risk of landslides. According to sources, around 200 hills in and around the port city have been identified as fully or partially threatening the environment.
Meanwhile bdnews24.com adds, a low pressure area has formed in the southeast of Bangladesh and the adjoining northeast of the Bay of Bengal, now lying in the same area as a well-marked low. This has led to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department advising maritime ports to keep cautionary signals hoisted.
Meteorologist Omar Faruk said on Friday that: "The well-marked low may intensify into a depression. It may pass over Bangladesh and into India."
"Under the influence of the weather system, there is heavy rain in the country. It will continue tomorrow as well. On Sunday, the rain will ease in the east, but remain in the west."
The Storm Warning Centre says that the system is likely to move northwest and intensify further. Due to its influence, deep convention is taking place over the north bay and its adjoining coastal areas. This may result in squally weather in the area and at the maritime ports.
The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to keep Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 hoisted.
All fishing boats and trawlers in the north bay are instructed to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.
The regular weather bulletin says that most of the Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions, and many parts of the Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions will see temporary gusty winds, and moderate rain or thunderstorms in the 24 hours from 9am on Friday.
Some parts of the country may also see moderate to very heavy rain.
In the 24 hours to 6am on Friday, Cox's Bazar recorded the most rain in the country with 378 mm. Teknaf saw 234 mm, Patuakhali 174 mm, and Patuakhali's Khepupara 100 mm.
Generally, 1-10 mm of rain a day is considered light, 11-22 mm is moderate, 23-44 mm is moderately heavy, 44-88 mm is heavy, and over 88 mm is very heavy.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
