Light to moderate rainfall, caused by the influence of a low-pressure over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea, has disrupted the normal life of city dwellers of Dhaka.
The rain also disrupted normal life in other parts of the country and the light to moderate rain has brought down the day temperature across the country.
Beginning in the early hours on Thursday (December 7, 2023), the rain continued throughout the day in Dhaka city and some other parts of the country.
Although the much-needed rain drenched Dhaka city and washed away the dust, the commute of city dwellers was disrupted from morning to night.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the weather may improve today (Friday).
The met office recorded 10 mm of rainfall in Dhaka in 24 hours till 6:00am on Thursday while the highest rainfall of 26 mm was recorded in Jashore.
Office goers and students suffered the most due to lack of public transport following the rainfall. The office-goers, particularly those employed in the private sector, endured difficulties while going to their respective workplaces.
Many people in Dhaka city were seen walking along the roads and streets due to lack of public transport. Many complained about not finding any public transport and were forced to walk to their destinations. Many roads went underwater.
Rickshaws and CNG-run autorickshaws were seen charging commuters extra, taking undue advantage of the situation.
This correspondent went to Sadarghat from the Dakshin Banasree area in the city to rent a CNG-run autorickshaw for Tk 450. The fare was usually supposed to be Tk 250 or Tk 300. He, however, had to go for Tk 450 due to transport crisis and adverse weather.
Many were forced to stay indoors due to the light to moderate rains throughout the day.
Advocate Md Kamruzzaman, a lawyer of Dhaka Judge Court; did not come to the court on Thursday due to the unfavourable weather. “I had to stay in my residence at Uttara in the city due to the rainfall. Some of my clients were supposed to come to the court, I barred them from coming. However, I was unable to reach some of the clients and they came to the court. They suffered a lot. I am sorry for that,” he told the Bangladesh Post.
Kabir Uddin Ahmed, who came in Dhaka from Sylhet and was staying at New Eastern Hotel at Fakirerpool area in the city; said that he was staying in Dhaka on Thursday for the work in the Dhaka Judge Court. “I went to the court area with difficulty, but there is no outcome because my lawyer could not come,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Meteorology Department (BMD) on Thursday forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers along with temporary gusty wind in all eight divisions of the country.
“Light to moderate rain or thunder showers is likely to occur at most places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy falls at places over the country,” said a regular bulletin of Met office.
Night and day temperature may fall by 2-4 degree Celsius over the country. Country’s maximum temperature on Wednesday was recorded 33.0 degrees Celsius at Cox’s Bazar while Thursday’s minimum temperature was 17.6 degrees Celsius at Tetulia.