Dhaka drowns in sudden November rain: Lingering effects of Cyclone Montha?
Even though the cyclone has weakened, its impact continues to linger
Although the monsoon officially ended in mid-October with little rainfall afterward, different regions, including Dhaka, have been experiencing showers again since Thursday.
This follows the formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, which later developed into Cyclone Montha and made landfall in India's Andhra Pradesh.
Even though the cyclone has weakened, its impact continues to linger.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The latest weather forecasts do not mention any active low-pressure system or warning signal over Bangladesh.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the current cloudy and rainy conditions are not expected to last long, as the rainfall is occurring due to local convection.
Meteorologist Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik at the BMD told The Business Standard, "Some cloud formations are lingering along India's West Bengal region, and due to local convection over Bangladesh, areas including Dhaka, Jashore, Kushtia, and Faridpur are experiencing rainfall.
"This rain may continue intermittently until Sunday morning. After that, the sky is expected to remain mostly clear until 5 November, when some areas may experience rain again," he added.
The BMD also issued a forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall in three divisions yesterday (31 October).
It stated that a well-marked low-pressure area over northern Chhattisgarh and adjoining regions may move north-northeastward, causing heavy (44-88 mm/24 hrs) to very heavy (up to 188 mm/24 hrs) rainfall at places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Mymensingh divisions within 48 hours from 11am.
Cyclone Montha, which formed in the Bay of Bengal last week, made landfall along India's Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday evening. It quickly weakened into a land depression.
Initially, it had little impact on Bangladesh's coastal areas, but two days later, rainfall occurred across several regions, including Dhaka.
Explaining the continued activity of Montha, Abul Kalam Mallik said, "Although Montha has weakened, the cloud systems and residual effects it generated remain active over northern Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal in India. As a result, these regions, along with Bangladesh, are experiencing rain."
The BMD has also advised the country's maritime ports – Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra – to lower their warning signals.
In the 24 hours ending at 6am today (1 November), the highest rainfall was recorded in Tetulia at 162 mm.
Other notable rainfall totals include 120 mm in Tarash of Sirajganj, 86 mm in Badalgachhi of Naogaon, 71 mm in Bogura, 62 mm in Dimla of Nilphamari, 46 mm in Dinajpur, and 27 mm in Rangpur.
The BMD expects weather conditions to gradually improve across most regions by early next week.
Dhaka submerged under untimely rain
From 3pm to 6pm today (1 November), Dhaka recorded 32mm rainfall within three hours. Meteorologists said such an amount in a short span qualifies as heavy rain, which may continue until midnight.
Due to the downpour since this afternoon, several areas of the capital have reported waterlogging. Notable affected zones include Mirpur, Pallabi, Mirpur-10, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Bashundhara Residential Area, Narda, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Paltan, Old Dhaka, and New Market, among other key locations. The sudden flooding has caused significant suffering, especially for those who went out for leisure or urgent work on the weekend.
Rabiul Islam, a resident of Eskaton Garden, told The Business Standard, "Continuous rain since afternoon has flooded the streets with knee-deep water. I had to return home soaked after stepping out for urgent work.
"Every time it rains, this area gets flooded—the drainage system is very poor. The overflowing drain water and waste make it even worse," he added.
Sheikh Nakib, a resident of Bashundhara Residential area, said, "While entering Bashundhara through the road adjacent to Jamuna Future Park, my motorcycle engine stalled as water got in. I had to wade through dirty water to cross the road."
Imran Hossain, a resident of Green Road, added, "The streets are knee-deep in water, and traffic congestion is severe. I've been stuck in the same spot for more than 30 minutes. It's not even possible to get down and walk through this situation."
