Heavy wind-driven rain soaked capital Dhaka disrupting normal life and bringing road traffic to a near halt on Saturday.
Apart from the capital, heavy rains also lashed across the country, turning many metropolitan cities and towns into virtual cesspools and bringing normal life to a grinding halt.
The downpour, which started Friday midnight continued till Saturday morning. But after a few hours of respite, it resumed in the afternoon.
The heavy rains also caused overflowing of storm water drains, wrecking havoc in densely-populated localities such as Motijheel, Pallabi, Mirpur-10, Kazipara, Shewrapara, Shantinagar, Mouchak, Malibagh, Moghbazar, Jatrabari, Airport Road, and many other areas of Old Dhaka.
The rainwater entered the city residences and business establishments submerging goods, vehicles and confining residents to their apartments.
It was a nightmare for thousands of commuters who were stuck in traffic jams while trying to reach their respective residences. Roads in these areas were also heavily damaged due to the rain.
While the intensity of rainfall diminished shortly before the evening rush hour, waterlogged areas were expected to take several hours to recede.
Besides, poor drainage system coupled with poor infrastructure development (incoordinated road digging) in the city deteriorated the situation.
Meanwhile, Dhaka Meteorological Department on Saturday forecast rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to continue at most places over the country with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places this week as monsoon is active over Bangladesh and moderate over North Bay.
“Rain may continue this week and the intensity of rain is likely to increase from June 20 to 25,” Ruhul Kuddus, an official at Met Office said.
Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
The highest rainfall was recorded by 126 millimeters (mm) for the last twenty-four hours at Sitakunda.
Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at most places in Khulna, Barisal, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chittagong and Sylhet divisions and at many places in Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions in 12 hours as of 9:00 am today (Sunday)
Meanwhile, a warning message of Met Office said, rain or thundershowers with temporary south or south-easterly gusty or squally wind with speed 45-60 kilometres per hour (kph) is likely to occur in the regions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Bogra, Pabna, Tangail, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Faridpur, Madaripur, Jessore, Kushtia, Khulna, Barisal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Comilla, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet wherein river ports have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one till yesterday evening.
