Rain & Thunder Coming as Heatwave Grips Bangladesh Today

DHAKA, April 26, 2026 — LivingArcade Weather Desk

Bangladesh is experiencing a sharp collision of weather systems today scorching heat on one side, and an advancing wall of rain and thunder on the other. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued its Sunday morning bulletin confirming that significant rainfall activity is expected to sweep across much of the country within the next 24 hours, even as a stubborn heatwave continues to grip more than a dozen districts simultaneously.

TODAY’S FORECAST — WHAT BMD SAYS

The BMD bulletin, issued this morning from 9am, paints a picture of a country heading into a stormy afternoon and evening. Light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty and squally winds along with lightning flashes, are forecast for several places across Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions. At the same time, isolated rainfall is expected at one or two locations across Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions.

The most intense weather will be concentrated in the north and northeast. The BMD has warned of moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall at places across Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions and a special warning issued earlier this week flagged that deep convective cloud systems have formed over the northern region that could bring rainfall of between 44 and 88 millimetres in a single 24-hour period, with isolated pockets potentially receiving up to 188 millimetres. Temporary waterlogging has been flagged as a risk in parts of Mymensingh and Sylhet divisional cities.

As a direct result of the incoming rainfall, day and night temperatures are expected to fall slightly across the country offering the first meaningful break in the heat that much of Bangladesh has endured through most of April.

In Dhaka, the current temperature stands at 29°C but the real-feel is closer to 33°C due to humidity. Brief early storms are expected, with cloud cover building through the afternoon. Sunrise today was at 5:27am and sunset will be at 6:24pm, giving 12 hours and 56 minutes of daylight.

🌡️ THE HEATWAVE — WHERE IT STANDS TODAY

Despite the incoming rain, the heatwave has not yet released its grip. As of this morning’s BMD bulletin, a mild heatwave is sweeping across Khulna division and the districts of Dhaka, Madaripur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Patuakhali, Rangamati, Chandpur, Lakshmipur, Bandarban and Feni. The BMD has said the heatwave may abate in some of these areas as rainfall arrives but it is expected to linger in others into the coming days.

Under Bangladesh’s official meteorological classification system, a mild heatwave means temperatures between 36 and 37.9°C. A moderate heatwave covers 38 to 39.9°C. Earlier this month, Chuadanga in the southwest recorded temperatures climbing to nearly 40°C just on the edge of the severe category marking one of the hottest readings of the year so far.

The current spell is being described by meteorologists as the longest single heatwave episode of 2026, having persisted continuously through much of mid-to-late April. However, forecasters have offered reassurance that conditions this year will not replicate the brutal 36-consecutive-day heatwave that devastated the country in 2024.

THE WEEK AHEAD — WHEN DOES RELIEF ARRIVE?

The pattern emerging from BMD data suggests a gradual shift. Rainfall activity that has already begun in the north across Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet is expected to spread progressively southward and into central Bangladesh over the coming days. Meteorologist Md Tariful Newaz Kabir confirmed that Dhaka division can expect rainfall in the near term, which will push temperatures downward and weaken the current heatwave across central and southern regions.

The forecast for the coming days shows Dhaka cooling from 29–30°C today to around 28–29°C by Tuesday and Wednesday, with further relief possible if rainfall becomes widespread. Northern divisions will see the most significant temperature drops first. The southwestern region including Khulna may continue to experience elevated temperatures slightly longer than other parts of the country, consistent with the BMD’s observation that the southwest tends to run hotter during April.

Hailstorms remain possible in some areas in the immediate aftermath of the heat spell, as the BMD has noted that when rain arrives following a prolonged heat period, cloud formations tend to be higher creating the conditions for hail. One to three days of isolated thunderstorm activity is expected through the end of the month.

DISTRICT-BY-DISTRICT SNAPSHOT

Division / District	Today’s Condition
Rangpur	Heavy rain & thundershowers expected
Mymensingh	Heavy rain, possible waterlogging
Sylhet	Very heavy rain, flood risk in low areas
Dhaka	Thundershowers, slight temperature drop
Rajshahi	Light rain; mild heatwave continuing
Khulna	Mild heatwave; isolated rain
Barishal	Mostly dry; isolated rain possible
Chattogram	Partly cloudy; isolated rain possible

PUBLIC ADVISORY

Residents across Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions are urged to remain alert to the risk of temporary waterlogging and flash conditions given the forecast of very heavy rainfall. Those in districts currently experiencing heatwave conditions particularly Rajshahi, Khulna and southwestern districts should limit outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours, stay well hydrated, and watch for signs of heat exhaustion. Lightning and gusty winds accompanying today’s thundershowers make outdoor safety a priority across northern and central Bangladesh.

The BMD is expected to issue updated bulletins through the day as weather systems develop.

— LivingArcade Weather Desk | Source: Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD)