The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast rain and thunderstorms for Dhaka and large parts of Bangladesh over 24 hours from Wednesday evening, even as a mild heat wave continues across multiple districts, according to Dhakatimes24.
The bulletin, issued Wednesday evening, covers the period until 6 p.m. Thursday. It lands at the tail end of the monsoon season, when residual heat and moisture often produce intense, localized storms — a combination that matters for commuters in the capital and for families in northern districts facing heavier downpours.
The overlapping alerts — rain and thunderstorms across most divisions alongside a lingering heat wave — create a complicated stretch for residents. Sudden downpours can disrupt transport and drainage in urban centers like Dhaka, while lightning poses a safety hazard in open areas.
Will it rain in Dhaka and across Bangladesh?
Yes, in many areas. Many places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions were expected to see light to moderate rain with temporary gusty winds, the department said. Isolated places in Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions were also expected to see similar conditions.
For Dhaka and nearby areas through Wednesday 6 p.m., the forecast called for partly to temporarily cloudy skies with possible rain or thunderstorms, according to Dhakatimes24.
Which divisions face heavy rainfall risk?
Moderate to heavy rainfall was possible in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, the bulletin said.
The earlier Tuesday-evening outlook had flagged heavy rain risk in pockets of Rangpur, Sylhet and Chattogram divisions, alongside lighter precipitation across a broader area. The new bulletin shifts Chattogram out of the heavy-rain list and adds Mymensingh.
Farmers in the affected northern and northeastern districts may need to monitor field conditions, as heavy rain at this time of year can affect standing crops.
Is the mild heat wave ending?
Not yet. A mild heat wave was sweeping Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions plus the districts of Dhaka, Tangail, Manikganj, Kishoreganj, Rajshahi, Sirajganj, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Chandpur, Feni, Jashore, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Satkhira, Khulna, Barishal and Patuakhali, the department said. It noted the heat wave may ease in some areas.
In Bangladesh, a mild heat wave is declared when maximum temperatures reach 36–38 degrees Celsius. The combination of heat and humidity — locally called "vapor heat" — raises the heat index and health risks for outdoor workers, the elderly and children.
Authorities typically advise the public to follow weather bulletins, avoid unnecessary travel during severe thunderstorms, seek shelter during lightning, and drink plenty of fluids during heat wave conditions.
What wind speeds and temperatures are expected in Dhaka?
The short-term outlook for the capital includes:
- South or southwesterly winds at 8–12 km/h
- Daytime temperatures may fall slightly
- Partly to temporarily cloudy skies with a chance of rain or thunderstorms through Wednesday evening
For the large Bangladeshi diaspora with family in the listed districts, the forecast signals a period of heightened vigilance, particularly in flood-prone or lightning-vulnerable areas.
Whether the heat wave actually eases in the listed districts, and whether the forecast heavy rain in Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet materialises, remains unclear. The Meteorological Department said it would issue updated bulletins as conditions evolve, Dhakatimes24 reported.