Heavy Rain Lashes Five Divisions Chattogram and Bandarban on High Alert

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast continued light to moderately heavy rain and thundershowers across the country for the next 24 hours. However, a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is driving moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall specifically in the Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions.

Chattogram Paralysed The port city of Chattogram is currently the worst hit, recording a staggering 330.58mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 9:00 am today. This deluge has submerged low-lying areas, sending floodwaters into homes, schools, and businesses in neighborhoods such as Agrabad, Muradpur, and Bakalia. The severe weather has disrupted regional travel and commerce. Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 remains in effect for Chattogram Port. At Shah Amanat International Airport, flight operations were disrupted, forcing international flights to divert to Dhaka. To prevent casualties from potential landslides, authorities have already relocated 30 families from high-risk hill slopes.

Bandarban Tourism Suspended In response to the persistent rain and landslide risks, the Bandarban district administration has banned all tourist travel to waterfalls, hill trails, and remote areas until July 10. Local officials are using loudspeakers to urge residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer shelters.

Forecasters expect the rain to persist for the next five days. While day and night temperatures remain largely unchanged, the sun is set to rise tomorrow at 5:17 am in the capital.