Met office extends heatwave warning, predicts cyclone
Following the heatwave, the BMD has indicated the possibility of a low-pressure system forming in the Bay of Bengal around 22 or 23 May, which could develop into a cyclone.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued a renewed 48-hour heatwave warning for four regions of the country, effective Friday evening.
While eastern regions of the country may experience a temperature drop, the heatwave is expected to persist in Khulna and Rajshahi divisions until Sunday, with potential highs exceeding 40°C in some locations.
Following the heatwave, the BMD has indicated the possibility of a low-pressure system forming in the Bay of Bengal around 22 or 23 May, which could develop into a cyclone.
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BMD meteorologist Md Omar Faruq told The Business Standard, "The ongoing heatwave is expected to subside in most areas within the next two days, with chances of rain. Eastern regions will experience a temperature drop starting Friday."
He added that a low-pressure is likely to form in the Bay of Bengal around the 22 or 23 May.
Meanwhile, the previous heatwave alert remains in effect for Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, and Khulna divisions. Increased humidity may cause discomfort, the BMD advised.
Scattered rain or thunderstorms with gusty winds were predicted for some areas of Sylhet division, with a possibility of isolated hail. Elsewhere, the weather is expected to remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies.
The highest temperature recorded on Friday was 39.6°C in Chuadanga. Other notable temperatures include Khulna (38°C), Mongla (38.5°C), Sayedpur (39.2°C), Rangpur (38.5°C), Pabna (39.5°C), and Dhaka (37.3°C).
The BMD's Friday evening bulletin forecast rain or thunderstorms with temporary squally winds in some areas of Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, with a chance of isolated hail.
Similar conditions are possible in a few locations of Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, and Barishal divisions. The rest of the country is expected to experience mainly dry weather with partly cloudy skies.
Potential cyclone in the bay
The possible low-pressure system forming in the Bay of Bengal around 22 or 23 May could develop into a cyclone on 22 May, according to BMD. If it intensifies, the cyclone will be named Remal, meaning sand in Arabic.
Meteorologist Omar Faruq told TBS that it is too early to predict its movement. The path of the potential cyclone is expected to become clearer after Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department predicts the formation of two depressions in the Bay of Bengal this May. One depression is expected to develop into a cyclone in the South Bay on 22 May, potentially reaching West Bengal and Bangladesh by 25 May.
Mostofa Kamal Palash, a weather researcher at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, told TBS about the possibility of a cyclone forming after 22 May.
Analysing data, he suggested that three out of four key factors for cyclone formation are already present in the central and southern bay. He predicts the cyclone could strike the area between Andhra Pradesh, India and Myanmar's Rakhine State between 25-27 May, potentially bringing heavy rain to coastal regions on 26 and 26 May.
Meteorologists anticipate coastal rainfall starting on the night of 24 May due to the potential cyclone, with rain potentially lasting until 27 May. The landfall location remains unclear, with Bangladesh or India's West Bengal as possibilities.
