Heavy overnight rainfall followed by intermittent downpours throughout Thursday has caused immense suffering for residents of Dhaka.
The downpour resulted in severe traffic congestion, a rise in transport fares, and waterlogging in many parts of the city on Thursday morning.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Dhaka recorded 55 mm of rainfall between Wednesday evening and 6:00 pm on Thursday, while Chandpur witnessed the highest rainfall of 79 mm.
The heavy rainfall created waterlogged streets in many places across the city, severely impacting public transport and daily commutes in the Thursday morning.
Low-lying areas were especially hard-hit, with roads submerged in water.
Pedestrians faced difficulties moving through flooded streets, often wading through knee-deep water.
Public transport services were disrupted, with buses, rickshaws, and CNG vehicles stuck in long traffic jams.
Many rickshaw drivers and ride-sharing services were found charging inflated fares due to the congestion.
Commuters reported a shortage of available buses and rickshaws during the evening rush hours.
BMD, however, said that the monsoon trough extends from Bihar and West Bengal to Assam, passing through the central Bangladesh.
One of its associated troughs extends to the North Bay, making the monsoon active over the country and strong over the North Bay.
A low-pressure area is expected to form over Bangladesh and the adjoining North Bay within the next 24 hours from Thursday morning, potentially leading to more rainfall, said BMD.
The BMD forecast indicates that in the next 24 hours, light to moderate rain with gusty winds will likely occur in all eight divisions.
The rain is likely to persist for the next three days, particularly affecting Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions.
Day and night temperatures are expected to drop by 2-4°C across the country during this period.
Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued a local Warning Signal No. 3 for the country's sea ports due to adverse weather conditions.
Meteorologist Md Hafizur Rahman said that a low pressure was expected develop in the sea by Friday, and rainfall expected to intensify over the next two to three days.
Due to adverse weather, river traffic from Dhaka's Sadarghat Terminal to six coastal waterways has been suspended.
The decision followed an emergency meeting at the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) office on Thursday morning.
Boat services to Hatia, Betua, Khepupara, Charmontaj, Rangabali, and Manpura from Dhaka have been halted to ensure passenger safety. According to the Dhaka River Port Authority, the restriction will remain in place until further notice.
However, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) in its evening report, said the water levels of the Feni, Sangu, Gomti, Muhuri, Matamuhuri, and Halda rivers in the Chittagong division are rising but currently remain below the danger level.
Heavy rainfall of 44 to 88 mm is expected in Chittagong division and adjacent upstream areas over the next two days, which may cause water levels in these rivers to rise.
In Rangpur division, the water level of the Teesta River remains stable, while the Dharla River is rising, and the Dudhkumar River is decreasing, all currently below the danger level.
Over the next 24 hours from Thursday morning, the Teesta River's water level may rise but is expected to remain below the danger level.
Water levels in the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers may decrease over the following two days, said the FFWC.
tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com