Heavy rains to continue over next 24 hours; landslide, waterlogging feared in several divisions

Heavy monsoon showers have continued to lash Dhaka and several parts of the country for more than 24 hours, disrupting daily life and triggering warnings of possible landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast more rain in the coming days, with moderate to heavy rainfall likely across Chattogram, Barishal and Khulna divisions. 

Due to active Southwest Monsoon, heavy [44-88mm/24hrs] to very heavy [>88mm/24hrs] rainfall is likely to occur at places over Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna and Barishal divisions during the next 24 hours, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecast today (9 July). 

Low-lying areas in these regions are at high risk of temporary waterlogging, while landslides are feared in the hilly regions of Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.

Rainfall in the capital began in the early hours yesterday (8 July) and has continued uninterrupted, offering some relief from the sweltering heat but also throwing city life into chaos. 

Several roads across Dhaka have experienced waterlogging, causing traffic congestion and commuter delays.

The situation is also concerning in Chattogram, where the district administration and disaster response authorities have been asked to remain on alert. 

The showers have cooled down the temperatures in Dhaka, which had recently been suffering from back-to-back heatwaves, with daily highs hovering around 37–38°C. Monday's rain brought the temperature down to around 27°C, offering a much-needed respite for city dwellers.

However, the persistent rain is raising concerns for those living in informal settlements and flood-prone zones. In some areas, drains have already started to overflow.

Earlier, the BMD had issued a five-day nationwide rain alert, warning that the southwest monsoon was active over Bangladesh and likely to cause intense rainfall in several regions.