Commuters suffer as monsoon showers inundate capital
Heavy rains in northern and northeastern parts of the country could cause flash floods in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, and Rangpur in the next two days
A heavy morning shower swamped many parts of the capital on Sunday, causing city dwellers much suffering when they came out of their homes to complete unavoidable chores amid the Covid-19 lockdown.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 39mm of rain was recorded from 6 am to midday. Various areas of the capital witnessed rainwater accumulating on the roads.
The streets of the capital's Lalmatia, Dhanmondi 27, and Karwan Bazar kitchen market were knee-deep in water.
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Mirpur, Rampura, and Badda were in a sorry state as they were hit the hardest by waterlogging. Locals there waded through ankle-deep water to reach their destinations in the rain.
Roads in Gulshan, Badda, Kuril Bishwa Road, Malibagh, Sewrapara, Kazipara part of Begum Rokeya Sarani, Agargaon crossing, Bijoy Sarani crossing, Kalabagan, Farmgate, Shegunbagicha, BijoyNagar, Motsho Bhaban, and Fakirapool were waterlogged as well.
A number of vehicles were stranded on various streets since morning due to waterlogging.
Meteorologist Dr M Abul Kalam Mallik told The Business Standard on Sunday afternoon it had started raining in some places in Dhaka at 7am, elsewhere after 9am, and in some other places after 10 am.
Flash flood feared in north
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, heavy rains in the northern and northeastern parts of the country and various adjoining Indian provinces could cause flash floods in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, and Rangpur in the next two days.
According to the Meteorological Department, the rainfall may increase in all eight divisions of the country, today as well as in the next three days.
In the forecast for the next 24 hours at 9 am on Sunday, they said light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusts are possible in many places of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Barishal and Khulna divisions and some parts of Dhaka, Barisal, and Chattogram divisions. At the same time, there may be scattered moderate to heavy rains in some parts of the country.
In this regard, Abul Kalam Mallik said, "Due to active monsoons, the intensity of rainfall or the area it covers, will increase a little in the next three days."
The Flood Forecasting and Warning Center on Sunday afternoon forecast heavy rains in the county's northern, northeastern regions and adjoining Indian states of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya. As a result, the water levels of the Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers in the northern part of the country may increase rapidly during this time, which may lead to flash floods in some places.
Md Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, said, "Sudden floods are likely in Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, and Rangpur district in the north, in the next two days. It may also happen in other districts later."
