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A well-marked low over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression, prompting the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) to advise the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra to keep Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 hoisted.
According to a special weather bulletin issued on Sunday, the depression formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coast.
At 12:00pm, the depression was located about 510 km west-southwest of Chattogram Port, 520 km west of Cox’s Bazar Port, 285 km west-southwest of Mongla Port, and 340 km west-southwest of Payra Port.
The system was packing maximum sustained winds of 40 km/h within 44 km of its centre, gusting up to 50 km/h. The sea remains rough near the centre of the depression.
The BMD said the depression is likely to move further west-northwest and cross the north Odisha coast within the next 24 hours. Under its influence, squally weather may affect the maritime ports and adjoining coastal areas.
All fishing boats and trawlers operating in the north Bay of Bengal have been advised to return to safe shelter immediately and remain there until further notice.
Meteorologist Md Bazlur Rashid said the system would increase rainfall across the country, particularly in the southern region from Sunday, with wet weather likely to continue until July 12 or 13.
The weather office forecast that over the next 24 hours from 9:00am Sunday, most places in Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, and many places in Rangpur, Rajshahi and Dhaka divisions, may experience light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds and lightning.
Moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely at places in Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.
The ongoing mild heatwave over Rangpur Division and parts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Naogaon, Dhaka, Kishoreganj, Tangail, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Feni, Cox’s Bazar and Chuadanga may ease. Daytime temperatures are expected to fall by 1-3 degrees Celsius, while night temperatures may decrease slightly.
The BMD also issued Local Warning Signal No. 1 for several inland river ports. Between 9:00am and 6:00pm Sunday, river ports in Rajshahi, Pabna, Dhaka, Faridpur, Kushtia, Jashore, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet may experience temporary gusty or squally winds of 45-60 km/h from the south or southeast, accompanied by rain or thunderstorms.
As of 9:00am Sunday, Rangpur recorded the country’s highest temperature at 37.6 degrees Celsius, while Rangamati received the highest rainfall, measuring 38 mm over the previous 24 hours.
EDN/SB/MH