City dwellers suffer amid incessant rains

Incessant rains for the last two days, triggered by depression over the Bay of Bengal, threw life out of gear and caused suffering to the city dwellers on Monday.

The rains started falling on Sunday morning and there was no break seen till Monday afternoon.

The residents of the national capital, especially officer-goers and HSC examinees, suffered a lot as 67 mm of rainfall recorded by the Met office in nine hours caused traffic chaos in some parts of the city.
“The Met office has recorded 44 mm of rainfall in 24 hours till 6 am on Monday in the capital while it recorded 67 mm of rainfall from 6 am to 3 pm today,” metrologist Hafizur Rahman told UNB. “The rainfall may reduce by tomorrow,” he said.

The low-income people, including day-labourers, were seen passing idle time for lack of work. Many were forced to stay indoors due to the light to medium rains throughout the day.

The number of motorized vehicles was relatively less than the other working days as most people preferred to stay home.

Mohammad Ashraf, manager (Transport) of Alif Paribahan, said, “One-third vehicles of the company are operating today due to the inclement weather. The number of passengers is also thin.”

Meanwhile, auto-rickshaw drivers and rickshaw-pullers are charging extra fares from passengers taking advantage of the weather.

However, there is no report of waterlogging in the city till the filing of this report around 3:30 pm.

More rains in store

More rains are expected to occur at places over Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka and Chattogram divisions during the next 24 hours from Monday morning as the depression in the Bay of Bengal weakened to a well-marked low, said a Met office bulletin.

Moderately heavy to heavy rainfall, measuring from 22-43 mm to 44-88mm, is likely during the 24-hour period, it said.

Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at most places over Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi division and at one or two places over Rangpur division with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions.

Night temperature may fall slightly over the western part of the country and it may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere over the country. Day temperatures may fall slightly over the country.

Bay depression

Rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty or squally wind speed of 40-50 kph is likely to occur over north bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh.

The depression over northwest bay and adjoining west-central bay moved north-northeast awards, weakening into a well-marked low over the northwest bay and adjoining west Bengal-Bangladesh coast. It will move further in a north-northeasterly direction and weaken into a low by evening today.

Under the influence of the well-marked low, deep convection is continuing over north bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Besides, the steep pressure gradient is still there over north bay.

Signal 3

Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal number three.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the north bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.