More storms likely, heat wave next month

At the beginning of this month, the weather forecast said that there may be less rain this month. But towards the end of the month, the rains started to show their strength. The average rainfall in the capital in March almost reaches the average a week before the end of the month.

The Meteorological Department says that until the end of this month, it will continue to rain sporadically in different parts of the country. May be accompanied by Kalbaisakhi. The temperature will be quite bearable.

It rained with hail and thunder last Saturday night in various parts of the country including the capital. There was a gust of wind. Its speed in the capital was 92 km per hour, said the Meteorological Office. It has rained in various places including the capital on Sunday afternoon.

Now the boro crop is in the field. Again, the mango tree has started to develop from the buds. The agriculturists think that this rain is positive for both.    

At the beginning of every month, the Meteorological Department presents the weather conditions for the entire month. Highlighting the situation of this month, it was said that there may be less rain than normal. A few mild to moderate heatwaves were also predicted to sweep through the country.

In the beginning of this month, however, the rains have decreased. Again, mild heatwave has been experienced in some districts. However, it starts raining after the second week of the month. From Saturday night to yesterday afternoon, the country’s highest rainfall occurred at Nikli in Kishoreganj, 63 mm. At that time, the amount of rain in the capital was 35 mm.

The average rainfall in the country in March is 52.4 mm. Meteorological Department sources could not tell whether the total rainfall of the country has crossed the average or not. However, the situation of rainfall in the capital is known. The capital has already received 64 mm of rain. In this month, the average rainfall of the capital is 65.8 millimeters.

Meteorologist Md. Bajlur Rashid told Prothom Alo yesterday that it rains at this time due to the western low pressure. Westerly winds are accompanied by dry and cold air. Along with this, the southerly hot air generated in the Bay of Bengal creates clouds. When it rains.

Locally too, sometimes a lot of moisture builds up causing rain. This rain usually occurs in the afternoon or at night. Like Saturday night rain. Meteorologist Tariful Newaz Kabir said, last night, clouds formed around 11 pm towards Sirajganj. There the heat and the moisture flowing from the Yamuna river combined to create clouds and that is what caused the rain.

Meteorologists say that there will be isolated rains in different parts of the country for the remaining few days of this month. It can also be Kalbaisakhi. The temperature will be quite bearable.

This rickshaw driver is looking for passengers with an empty rickshaw in the rain. Mohammadpur, Dhaka, March 24Photo: Zahidul Karim

Meteorologist Md. Umar Farooq told Prothom Alo yesterday that there may be less rain than yesterday on Monday. Dhaka may rain in the afternoon. However, tomorrow, Tuesday, the trend of rain may increase. Such condition may remain for two days. After that, the rain may decrease a little. However, there is no possibility of heat wave until the end of this month.

Meteorologist Bajlur Rashid said that although there is little chance of heat wave in this month, there may be a heat wave in the beginning of next April. He said, there may be a heat wave in early April. But it may not be severe.

Meanwhile, now is the harvest time of Boro paddy. This rice requires extensive irrigation. That irrigation is mostly dependent on groundwater. However, due to this rain, it will be very beneficial for rice, says agriculturist Mrityunjoy Roy. He told Prothom Alo yesterday, besides the rice, the mango tree has now got a lump. Now if it rains, the size of mangoes is likely to grow.

Although it has rained in various parts of the country, it has not rained much in Naogaon, the ‘new state’ of mangoes. Therefore, if there is more rain for mangoes and paddy, it will be beneficial, says Naogaon District Training Officer of Agriculture Extension Department AKM Manjure Mawla. He said, now the rain can cause problems only in the production of onion seeds. Due to this, problems may arise in Pabna, Faridpur and Rajshahi regions which are ahead in onion production.