Monsoon means the season of heavy downpour for days together. But this year’s monsoon is largely dry with a heat wave sweeping across the country

Generally, the monsoon in Bangladesh prevails from early June to mid-October but by mid-July this year the country has been gasping in scorching heat for the past two weeks.

This unusual heat wave during monsoon is likely to prevail for two more days after which there is a possibility of rainfall, Mohammad Omar Faruk, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department told UNB.

“Every year in July, a low pressure area is formed over the Bay of Bengal, which is the reason behind rains during monsoon but this year it is less active,” he said.

The highest temperature of the month was recorded at 39 degree Celsius in Syedpur of Nilphamari district on July 15.

In 2018, Bangladesh experienced a moderate heat wave on July 19 and July 20. The heat wave had returned this time in 2022, said Faruk.

According to the Met office bulletin, in the next 24 hours commencing at 9 am on Sunday, a mild heat wave will be sweeping over Rajshahi, Rangpur and Sylhet divisions and Tangail, Jashore and Chuadanga districts and it may continue.

“However, light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at a few places over Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Rangpur and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Dhaka, Rajshahi and Mymensingh divisions with moderately heavy falls at isolated places over the country,” it said.

Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

The low pressure area over Northwest Bay and adjoining Odisha-West Bengal coast persists.

Monsoon trough runs through Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, the centre of the low and thence Northeastwards to Assam across southern part of Bangladesh.

Monsoon is fairly active over Bangladesh and moderate elsewhere over North Bay.

The highest temperature was recorded 38.0 Celsius in Syedpur while lowest temperature was recorded 25.1 Celsius in Sylhet.

According to the weather office, the average rainfall in the last month was normal.

Besides, the Met office sources said there is possibility of a little rain than normal in July month.

During this month, there will be one or two low pressures over the Bay and of these, one will turned into depression, said Met office at meeting held on July 3 virtually.

Besides, a light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur in north, north-east region in 1-2 day while light rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur in two-three days across the country, it said.