Dhaka cools down after heatwave as rain and gusty winds sweep city

After days of scorching heat, residents of Dhaka finally found relief as calm, refreshing rain swept across the city today (26 April).

The long-awaited weather shift brought much-needed comfort from the prolonged heatwave.

Dark rain clouds covered Dhaka's sky, followed by strong winds and steady rainfall. Though the sudden darkness resembled nightfall, it was the arrival of dense monsoon clouds that eased the city's sweltering conditions.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), within the next 48 hours from 12pm today, Nor'wester (Kal-Baishakhi) thunderstorm accompanied by strong gusty winds from the west or northwest may occur intermittently over the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions.

"Wind speeds may reach 60-80 kilometres per hour or more in some areas. The storms may also be accompanied by lightning activity and isolated hail in certain locations," according to the Met office.

Dhaka sees relief as rainfall follows repeated heatwave warnings by Met Office. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

BMD has also forecast rain across different parts of the country in the next 24 hours starting from 9am.

"Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning flashes are likely to occur at a few places over Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions," said a Met office bulletin issued this morning.

Day and night temperatures may slightly decrease across the country.

The highest temperature yesterday (25 April) was recorded at 38.4°C in Rajshahi, while the lowest temperature today (26 April) stood at 22.3°C in Tetulia under Rangpur division. The sun will set at 6:25pm today and rise at 5:28am tomorrow (27 April) in Dhaka.