Bangladesh hoists river port warning as squalls, heavy rain threaten 14 districts

Bangladesh's weather authorities on Friday issued Signal No. 1 for inland river ports across 14 districts, warning of squally winds reaching 45-60 kilometers per hour accompanied by rain or thunderstorms through early afternoon.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department's forecast for inland river ports, valid from 5 am to 1 pm, temporary gusty or squally winds are likely to sweep across Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Bogura, Tangail, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Sylhet from the south or southeast. River ports in these areas have been advised to display Local Cautionary Signal No 1.

In its 24-hour nationwide forecast issued at 6 pm. Thursday, the meteorological department said many places in the Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, and some areas of the Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna and Barishal divisions, are expected to experience light to moderate rain or thunderstorms with lightning and temporary gusty winds through 6 pm Friday.

The forecast also warned of moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in the Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, raising the risk of localized flooding and weather-related disruptions.

Meanwhile, a mild heatwave is expected to persist over Rajshahi, Nilphamari and parts of the Khulna division, while day and night temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged across the country, the department said.