Bangladesh sees rain-soaked east, heat-hit west
A mild heatwave is currently sweeping over Dhaka, Faridpur, Rangpur, Jashore and Khulna districts, although it is expected to abate shortly.
Bangladesh is seeing a sharp contrast in weather conditions, with heavy rain soaking parts of the eastern and coastal belts while a mild heatwave persists across several western and central districts, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
It said the contrasting conditions come as the monsoon remains less active over Bangladesh but moderate over the North Bay, with the monsoon trough running across the central part of the country.
The eastern and coastal belts recorded the country's highest rainfall during the last 24 hours until 6am today. Rangamati received 65 millimetres of rain, the highest nationwide, followed by Sitakunda with 54 millimetres, Kutubdia 34 millimetres and Feni 28 millimetres. Chandpur recorded 31 millimetres, while Madaripur received 27 millimetres.
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At the same time, temperatures remained high across several western, northwestern and central locations. Jashore recorded the country's highest maximum temperature at 36.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Koyra at 36.2 degrees. Dhaka, Faridpur, Bogura and Rangpur recorded 36.0 degrees Celsius each.
A mild heatwave is currently sweeping over Dhaka, Faridpur, Rangpur, Jashore and Khulna districts, although it is expected to abate shortly.
The BMD said light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds are likely at many places over Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions during the 24 hours from 9am today (17 September).
On 18 September, rain or thundershowers are likely at one or two places across all eight divisions. On 19 September, rainfall is expected at many places over Chattogram, Barishal and Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka and Khulna divisions.
Rain is likely at a few places over Rangpur, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and at one or two places over Mymensingh, Dhaka, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions on 20 September. On 21 September, rain is expected at a few places across all eight divisions.
The weather office said day and night temperatures may fall slightly today (17 September). Day temperatures may remain nearly unchanged and night temperatures may rise slightly on 18 September, while both may rise slightly on 19 September. On 20 September, day temperatures may remain nearly unchanged and night temperatures may fall slightly, while both may remain nearly unchanged on 21 September.
The contrasting weather pattern is also developing ahead of a possible change in the Bay of Bengal weather system.
Meteorologist Md Tariful Newaz Kabir, deputy director of the BMD's Storm Warning Centre, said, "A low-pressure area is likely to form over the North Andaman Sea and adjoining east-central Bay by 19 September 2026 and it may intensify."
During the same 24-hour period, the country's lowest minimum temperature of 22.5 degrees Celsius was recorded at Srimangal.
In Dhaka, relative humidity was 86% at 6:00 am, while winds were blowing from the south or southeast at 10 to 15 kilometres per hour.
