Rain brings respite in Dhaka after heatwave

After weeks of a severe heatwave, Dhaka dwellers this afternoon experienced rain for the first time this summer.

Thunder and lightning started to rumble in the skies over Dhaka from 8pm. The rain started around 8:45pm, giving Dhaka residents some relief from the scorching heat, and continued to drench the city for several hours.

Also, apart from the capital, it rained in several districts across Bangladesh including the coastal areas.

A sweeping heatwave and increased humidity in the capital and other parts of Bangladesh has had people yearning for rain for the last few days. At around 5.30pm Monday, the temperature in Dhaka was 36 degrees Celsius but it felt like 44 degrees Celsius.

The country's maximum temperature – 38.5 degrees Celsius – was recorded in Shitakunda in the last 24 hours. The mercury in Dhaka rose as high as 38.1 degrees Celsius. However, the country's highest rainfall – 35mm – was recorded in Kutubdia till 6pm today.

The effects of Cyclone Yaas is yet to be felt in Bangladesh. The country could face the aftermath of the storm, brewing over the Bay of Bengal, Tuesday evening.

The local weather caused the rain and it had nothing to do with Yaas. Also, the temperature may drop further from Tuesday with rains and thundershowers, experts said.

Earlier, the Met Office Monday predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind at places over Rangpur, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions.

A mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, and it might abate in some places due to rain, it added.

The Met Office earlier in the day confirmed that the deep depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas had moved west-northwest and turned into Cyclone Yaas, which is hurtling towards India at a speed of four kilometres per hour in a north-northwesterly direction.