Land depression moves over Tangail, rough weather likely to persist
The heaviest rainfall during the period was recorded in Noakhali at 285mm, followed by Chandpur with 242mm, Cumilla 179mm, Chattogram 164mm, Khepupara and Madaripur 160mm each, and Barishal 141mm
The deep depression that formed over the Bay of Bengal is gradually weakening after moving inland, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said in an update this morning (30 May).
Last night (29 May), the depression crossed the West Bengal–Bangladesh coastline and remained over Satkhira and surrounding areas as a land depression.
Met office's Meteorologist Shahnaz Sultana said the system is still a land depression, now positioned over Tangail and adjoining areas, and is likely to move further north or northeast while weakening.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"As a result, rain will occur in various parts of the country today," she said.
Light rain and overcast skies have persisted over Dhaka since morning, and the capital may continue to experience rain throughout the day.
Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in many parts of Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions today, and in Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Dhaka divisions tomorrow, due to active monsoon winds.
According to the Met office, "heavy rainfall" refers to 44–88mm, while "very heavy rainfall" exceeds 88mm.
Dhaka recorded 86mm of rain yesterday alone. However, in the 24 hours between 6am Thursday and 6am Friday, the capital recorded a much higher 196mm of rainfall.
Elsewhere, the heaviest rainfall during the period was recorded in Noakhali at 285mm, followed by Chandpur with 242mm, Cumilla 179mm, Chattogram 164mm, Khepupara and Madaripur 160mm each, and Barishal 141mm.
Due to the depression, stormy conditions persist over the North Bay and adjacent coastal regions.
"Deep convective cloud formation is continuing over the North Bay and adjacent coastal areas," said the Met office bulletin.
As a result, maritime ports in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal no 3.
All fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay have been asked to remain in safe shelter until further notice.
Yesterday's heavy rainfall also disrupted ferry services in several areas and triggered tidal surges, reportedly breaching embankments in some coastal districts. Thousands of residents in Bagerhat, Patuakhali, Bhola, Chandpur, and surrounding areas were inundated following the surge.
Meanwhile, in India, this May has brought record-breaking rainfall in Mumbai. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on 26 May that the city recorded 439mm of rain in May alone, breaking a century-old record.
The previous highest May rainfall was in 1918, at 257.8mm.
Historically, Dhaka has seen extreme rainfall events in May as well, with 255mm recorded on 24–25 October 2022, and 333mm in 2009.
