Cumilla and Sylhet could see rain or thunderstorms accompanied by temporary gusty winds of up to 60 kilometres per hour by early Friday afternoon, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. River ports in the two regions have consequently been advised to display cautionary signal No. 1.
The forecast was issued at 5am on Friday (2 October) by the Storm Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department as part of its advisory for the country’s inland river ports.
According to the bulletin, temporary gusts from the west or north-west may reach between 40 and 60 kilometres per hour across Cumilla and Sylhet. The strong winds could occur alongside rain or thundershowers, with the weather expected to become unsettled before 1pm.
In response to the forecast, the relevant river ports in Cumilla and Sylhet have been instructed to display cautionary signal No. 1. The signal serves as an early warning for people and vessels using the inland waterways when potentially disruptive weather conditions are expected.
The forecast is particularly relevant for river transport operators, as sudden gusts and thunderstorms can develop quickly and make conditions on open stretches of water more difficult. Smaller boats may be more vulnerable to abrupt changes in wind and visibility, while rainfall associated with thunderstorms can also temporarily reduce visibility.
The expected wind direction has been identified as west or north-west, with gusts potentially reaching 40–60 kilometres per hour. The Meteorological Department has described the winds as temporary, indicating that the stronger conditions are expected to occur for limited periods rather than continue throughout the day.
Residents in the two regions may also experience short spells of rain or thunderstorms during the morning and towards midday. Weather associated with thunderstorms can change rapidly, making it difficult to predict precisely when the strongest gusts will occur at a particular location.
The river-port warning is therefore intended to provide advance notice to those operating or travelling on the waterways. Boat operators and passengers in Cumilla and Sylhet should remain alert to the cautionary signal and take appropriate care if thunderstorms or strong winds develop.
The advisory currently applies specifically to the river ports of Cumilla and Sylhet. Further changes to the weather situation, including any revision of warning signals, would depend on subsequent updates from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
For the time being, the main concern is the possibility of brief periods of strong, gusty winds accompanied by rain or thunderstorms before 1pm on Friday. The Meteorological Department’s warning gives river users in the affected areas an opportunity to remain cautious as the weather develops.
