A light depression has formed in the Bay of Bengal and it may affect the southwestern part of Bangladesh as heavy rainfall may occur in the region due to its influence.
As a result, there is a fear of landslides in hilly areas of the region.
The unfavorable weather may continue till the afternoon today (Friday), said sources of the Meteorological Department.
Against this backdrop, four maritime ports-- Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra-- have been asked to hoist cautionary signal-3 to alert vessels of the possible squall. In the meantime, the river ports have been asked to hoist signal number-1.
Meteorologist Omar Farooq said that there was a risk of heavy rains in many parts of the country, especially in the southwestern part, due to the light depression.
Stormy winds may blow in the coastal areas. For this reason, squally weather may affect the maritime ports. So, the maritime ports and the rivers ports were asked to hoist cautionary signals, he added.
He said that heavy rains may occur due to influence of the depression. Landsides may take place due to heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, Chattogram has been experiencing light to moderate rainfall. At least 149 mm rainfall was recorded in 24 hours on Thursday. The heavy rains usually trigger landslides that often claim lives in Chattogram region.
Six people including five minor siblings were killed in landslides triggered by rains in Teknaf and Maheshkhali upazilas of Cox’s Bazar early on Wednesday. The landslide killed three sons and two daughters of one Syed Alam while the family was asleep at Bhilagerpara under Hnila union in Teknaf.
Earlier on Tuesday, eight people, including six Rohingyas, were killed in landslides due to heavy rain in Ukhia, Teknaf and Maheshkhali upazilas.
Chairman of Hnila Union Parishad, Rashed Mahmud Ali said that local administration, police and the public representatives are trying to convince the residents living in risky areas.
According to a Met office bulletin, squally weather may affect the maritime ports, the North Bay and the adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. So, all boats and trawlers in the North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.
The bulletin said, the light depression was blowing in the southwestern part of the country on Thursday. It may move further. The stormy wind may extend from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam through Bangladesh. The stormy wind was active over Bangladesh and was prevailing in the North Bay.
Most parts of Khulna, Sylhet, Barishal and Chattogram divisions and many other parts of Dhaka, Rajshahi, Rangpur and Mymensingh divisions may experience temporary gusts or thundershowers. There may also be moderate to heavy rains in some parts of the country.
The highest rainfall in 24 hours was recorded 245 mm in Mongla on Thursday. Besides, 2 mm in Dhaka, 149 mm in Chattogram, 4 mm in Sylhet, 2 mm in Rajshahi, 1 mm in Rangpur, 21 mm in Khulna and 28 mm in Barishal.
A cautionary signal was issued for the river ports - Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Tangail, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Faridpur, Jashore, Kushtia, Khulna, Barisal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Coumilla, Chattogram, Sylhet and Cox's Bazar.
Another warning said that as a result of light depression that was located in the western part of Bangladesh and West Bengal in India on Thursday, the air pressure was prevailing in the North Bay and its adjoining areas.
