Heavy rain triggers waterlogging in city

Heavy rain triggered severe waterlogging across several parts of the capital on Wednesday afternoon, disrupting traffic and daily activities as dark clouds plunged Dhaka into near-darkness.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Dhaka recorded 42 millimetres of rainfall during the afternoon.
The sudden downpour caused fresh suffering to commuters, with roads remaining submerged in many low-lying areas and vehicles stranded in traffic congestion during office hours.
Significant waterlogging was reported in Jatrabari, Sayedabad, Tikatuli, Motijheel, Rajarbagh, Khilgaon, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Mogbazar, Mirpur-10 and Mirpur-11, among other areas.
Many pedestrians were seen wading through knee-deep water, while traffic movement slowed sharply in different parts of the city.
The met office said heavy to very heavy rainfall may continue over parts of the country during the next 72 hours as thunderclouds continue forming across Bangladesh.
According to the BMD, heavy rainfall refers to 44-88 millimetres of rain within 24 hours, while very heavy rainfall exceeds 88 millimetres.
The BMD warned that pre-monsoon "Thunder Cell" systems have been causing sudden intense rainfall in recent weeks, frequently overwhelming Dhaka's drainage system.
It also said lightning activity had already been observed in parts of northern and northeastern Bangladesh.
In a separate warning, the BMD forecast rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning in parts of Tangail, Sirajganj, Mymensingh, Bogura, Joypurhat and Kishoreganj.
Temporary gusty winds with speeds of 45-60 kilometres per hour may also affect Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Tangail, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet regions.
River ports in these areas have been advised to hoist Cautionary Signal No. 1.
The weather office advised people to remain indoors during thunderstorms and at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.
Meanwhile, the BMD said one or two low-pressure systems may form in the Bay of Bengal in the second half of May, and one of them could intensify into a depression or cyclone.
Meteorologist at the BMD's Storm Warning Centre Dr Md Bazlur Rashid said the country may also experience severe nor'westers, thunderstorms and one to three heatwaves during the month.
He said severe nor'westers could strike the country on two to three days in May, while hailstorms may also hit some areas.
The forecast also warned that one of the expected heatwaves could become severe, pushing temperatures to 40-41.9 degrees Celsius.
BMD Director (Current Charge) Md Momenul Islam said Bangladesh is likely to receive normal rainfall overall in May, although some regions may experience heavy rainfall.
According to the divisional forecast, Sylhet division is expected to receive the highest rainfall this month, ranging between 520 and 540 millimetres.
BMD data showed the country recorded 75.7 per cent higher rainfall than normal in April this year due to the combined influence of western low pressure and easterly winds.
Meteorologists said heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds occurred across most parts of the country during several spells in April, while hailstorms also affected different regions.
The country's highest single-day rainfall in April was recorded in Nikli of Kishoreganj district, where 160 millimetres of rainfall was measured on April 28.
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