Special Correspondent — A relentless deluge has paralyzed the capital city, with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) recording 175 millimeters of rainfall within a 24-hour period.
This marks the second-highest single-day rainfall recorded in Dhaka over the last 17 years.
According to meteorologist A.K.M. Nazmul Huq, this intense downpour—the highest since the record-breaking 333 millimeters recorded in 2009—is driven by an active monsoon circulating aggressively over Bangladesh.
“While heavy rainfall is typical during the monsoon season, this is an exceptionally high volume,” Huq noted.
Regional Devastation and Growing Flood Toll
The relentless weather system is pounding regions across the country. Meteorological data revealed massive rainfall accumulations elsewhere, including 160 mm in Chittagong, 140 mm in Ambagan, 113 mm in Cox’s Bazar, and 111 mm in Faridpur.
The catastrophic weather has already triggered devastating floods and landslides across five southern districts, with the death toll rising sharply to 51.
Tragically, Cox’s Bazar has been hit the hardest with 28 fatalities, followed by 13 in Chittagong, 6 in Bandarban, 3 in Rangamati, and 1 in Moulvibazar.
Additionally, at least 39 people have been reported injured across Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari as emergency services struggle to navigate waterlogged zones.
Five-Day Severe Weather Forecast
The BMD warns that the active monsoon will keep the country under a severe weather threat for the next five days. Moderate to ultra-heavy rainfall is expected to lash parts of the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet divisions.
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July 13 Forecast: Most areas within Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Khulna divisions, alongside vast parts of Dhaka, Barisal, Chittagong, and Sylhet, will experience continuous rain. Heavy to very heavy downpours remain a major threat in isolated pockets. While daytime temperatures may see a minor increase, nighttime temperatures are expected to hold steady.
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July 14 Forecast: Rain and thunderstorms will target many areas of Rangpur and Rajshahi, with heavy downpours likely to aggravate local waterlogging. Other divisions will experience scattered rainfall, alongside a slight rise in day and night temperatures.
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July 15–16 Outlook: The weather system is expected to shift focus toward the southern belt, bringing widespread rain and thunderstorms to Khulna, Barisal, and Chittagong divisions. Moderate to heavy rainfall risks further complicating flood relief and rescue efforts in these regions, while temperatures will remain mostly unchanged.
Crisis Management and Public Alert
With key divisions staring down an extended week of torrential rain, urban areas face an imminent risk of severe waterlogging, while hilly terrains in the south remain highly susceptible to further landslides.
Authorities are urging residents in high-risk zones to remain alert as emergency teams brace for a challenging week ahead.