rain
Thanks to rain, Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning
Dhaka's air quality was marked "moderate" this (May 18, 2023) morning due to rain in the capital city.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 76 at 9 am, Dhaka ranked 26th in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered to be “good”while between 50 and 100 it is considered “moderate”.
Vietnam’s Hanoi, Indonesia’s Jakarta and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 141, 140 and 126, respectively.
Also read: Drizzle fails to clean Dhaka's air
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered “unhealthy”, particularly for sensitive groups.
Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be “poor'”, while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered “hazardous”, posing serious health risks to residents.
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how safe or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Read more: HC summons N’ganj DC, DoE officials for not complying with directives to control air pollution
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
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Despite rain, Dhaka’s air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups this morning
Dhaka's air quality remained unhealthy for sensitive groups, despite the rain last evening and this morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 110 at 8:43 am, Dhaka ranked 7th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
India’s Delhi, Pakistan’s Lahore and Indonesia’s Jakarta occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 303, 179 and 154, respectively.
An AQI between 101 and 150 is considered 'unhealthy', AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.
Also read: Dhaka's air quality remains 'unhealthy' this morning
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
Rain, thundershowers likely in Dhaka, Ctg, Khulna and other divisions: Met Office
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Friday predicted rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind in different parts of the country over 24 hours, starting at 9 am Friday.
“Rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places,” A Met Office bulletin reads.
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy skies elsewhere over the country, the bulletin added.
Meanwhile, both the day and night temperature will rise slightly all over the country, according to the bulletin.
A trough of westerly low lies over India’s West Bengal and adjoining areas.
A low-pressure area is likely to form over the south Bay of Bengal around May 7 and it is likely to intensify, said a special bulletin from the Met Office on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that a cyclonic storm brewing in the southeast Bay of Bengal will proceed towards the north-northwest until May 10 and then recurve towards the south-east Bangladesh and adjoining Myanmar coasts on May 11.
A cyclonic circulation is likely to develop over the southeast Bay of Bengal around May 6 which is likely to develop into a severe cyclonic storm, according to IMD's model guidance.
According to IMD, the low pressure area formed under the influence of cyclonic circulation may concentrate into a depression over the same area around May 8.
"And thereafter there is a good possibility of its intensification into a cyclonic storm while moving nearly northward towards central Bay of Bengal," the IMD bulletin added.
The IMD Global Forecast System is indicating a north-northwestwards movement of the storm till 10th and then a "northeast awards recurvature towards southeast Bangladesh and adjoining Myanmar coasts.”
Rain, thundershowers likely in Dhaka, other divisions
Dhaka and seven other divisions are likely to experience rain or thundershowers in next 24 hours commencing 9 am on Saturday.
According to Bangladesh Metrological Department, “Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolatedplaces.”
Day and night temperatures may rise slightly over the country.
Also read: Rains, thunderstorms likely to persist in next few days: Met Office
The country’s highest temperature was recorded at 36.5 degrees Celsius in Feni and Bandarban districts on Friday while the lowest temperature was recorded at 20.5 degrees Celsius in Nikli of Kishoreganj district on Saturday.
A trough of Westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area.
Rain or thundershowers likely in Dhaka, M’sing, Sylhet divisions
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) forecast rains or thundershowers at some places in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Tuesday.
According to a bulletin of Met office, “Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely at one or two places in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places.”
Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.
Also read: Heavy rainfall likely in northern region at end of June or 1st week of July
Day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
A trough of low persists over West Bengal to North Bay.
Rain or thundershowers likely in Dhaka, 7 other divisions
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rains or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind at a few places over eight divisions including Dhaka in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Sunday. According to the Met office bulletin, “Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind is likely at a few places over Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi and Dhaka divisions with hails at isolated places.” Besides, a mild heat wave is sweeping Khulna division and Dhaka, Faridpur, Gopalgonj, Manikganj, Narsingdi, Rajshahi, Pabna, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Patuakhali and Bhola districts and it may abate from some places.
Also read: Rains likely in Mymensingh, Sylhet; Heat wave to prevail in Dhaka, other districts Day temperature may fall by (1-2)°C and night temperature may fall slightly over the country, it said. Country’s highest temperature were recorded at 39.0 degrees Celsius at Mongla in Khulna and Jasshore district. A though of Westerly low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area and extending its trough to North Bay. END/UNB/MAS/FH
BMD predicts light rain in Sylhet, Rain unlikely in Dhaka, other places
Bangladesh Metrological Department (BMD) forecast rain or thunder showers at one or two places over Sylhet division in 24 hours from 9am on Tuesday (April 18, 2023) when some parts of the country are reeling under intense heat wave.
A Met office bulletin said a severe heat wave is sweeping Rajshshi, Pabna, Chuadanga and Kushtia.
Besides, mild to moderate heat wave is lashing Dhaka, Rangpur and Sylhet divisions and some parts of Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal divisions and Mymensingh, Chandpur, Cox’s Bazar, Khagrachari and Patuakhali district and it may continue, it added.
Read More: Dhaka's air 3rd most polluted in the world this morning
The season's highest temperature of the country was recorded in Ishwardi at 43 degree Celsius on Monday.
Earlier, the weather observatory centre recoded 42 degrees Celsius in Pabna on April 15, 2022.
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Read More: Met Office predicts rain in Barishal, Ctg, Sylhet; heatwave to continue in Dhaka
Met Office predicts rain in Barishal, Ctg, Sylhet; heatwave to continue in Dhaka
Amid sweltering heat in most parts of the country, Bangladesh Metrological Department (BMD) has predicted rains and thundershowers at one or two places in Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions in 24 hours from 9 am on Monday (April 17, 2023).“Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, having chances of rain or thunder showers at one or two places over Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions,” said a Met office bulletin.
Severe heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and Dhaka, Faridpur, Gopalgang, Manikganj, Narayanganj, Rajshahi and Pabna districts.
Read More: Khulna reeling under severe heatwave
Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping elsewhere over the country & it may continue.
Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
A trough of low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay.
Read more: Bangladesh: Heatwave may abate in 24 hrs
No possibility of rain in 3 days: BMD
There is no possibility of immediate relief from the scorching heat in Bangladesh as the weather department had said rain is unlikely within three days.
Kazi Jebunnesa, assistant meteorologist at the BMD, told UNB that there is no possibility of rain within the next three days and the ongoing heat wave will continue.
Bangladesh Metrological Department (BMD) on Sunday (April 16, 2023) forecast that severe heat wave will continue in parts of the country like the past few days.
Read more: Intense heat wave grips Dhaka, some other parts of country
The heat wave is sweeping Dhaka, Faridpur, Manikgonj, Pabna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia districts and mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping elsewhere over the country and it may continue.
The season’s highest temperature of the country was recorded in Chuadanga at 42.2 degree Celsius while the lowest temperature was in Syedpur at 19.4 degree Celsius on Saturday.
Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may rise slightly over the country, said a Met office bulletin.
Read More: Intense heat wave grips Dhaka, some other parts of country
Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country.
Rain, hailstorm worry Khulna watermelon growers
Despite bumper yield of watermelon in Khulna this year, farmers and traders fear massive losses due to hailstorm, heavy rains and fall in price.
On March 21, hailstorm damaged huge amount of watermelon on around 203 hectares of land worth about Tk 10 crore.
According to officials of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), in 2016 watermelon was cultivated only on 407 hectares of land in Khulna. In 2021, 7,512 hectares of land was brought under cultivation and in 2022, record 13,970 hectares of land was cultivated.
Although watermelon yield was very goods last year, farmers incurred big losses due to rains and drop in price.
DAE officials said watermelon cultivation has decreased this year due to huge losses last year. This year, this summer fruit was cultivated on 12, 225 hectares of land which is 1,745 hectares less than last year’s cultivation.
Read more: Can one earn a living by farming off-season watermelon?
Local farmers and the department expected 35-40 maund yield per hectare and selling of watermelon worth Tk 611 crore. But hailstorms and continuous rain have become cause of worry.
A big portion of watermelon in Khulna is cultivated in Dacope upazila. This year, this fruit has been cultivated in a total nine unions of Dacope upazila .Local farmers have cultivated watermelon on around 6,320 hectares of land and farmers hope they will be able to start selling of the fruit by 10 to 15 days.
Watermelon has been cultivated on 1,200 hectares of land in Koyra Upazila this year and the crops will be ready for market within 15 days. In the meantime, 200 hectares of land in Koyra and 3 hectares of land in Paikgachha were completely destroyed due to a hailstorm on March 21.
Utpal Raptan, a farmer of Banishanta Union under Dacope Upazila, said, compared to last year, per bigha production cost has increased by Tk 4000 to 5000 this year.
Still, he cultivated 3 bighas of land to recover last year's losses .
Dacope Upazila Agriculture Officer KM Maksudunnabi said, watermelon cultivation declined due to last year’s losses. But this year yield is better than the previous year.
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Mosaddek Hossain, additional deputy director of Khulna DAE, said, " Hailstorm and rain is causing anxiety among farmers. Still, it is expected that watermelons worth 600 crores will be sold this year.”