Kalbaishakhi Storm Threat Persists Across Bangladesh

Bangladesh is expected to experience further spells of Kalbaishakhi thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds, hail, and scattered rainfall for another two to three days, according to the latest forecast issued by the national meteorological authorities.

The warning comes as several parts of the country, including the capital, have already been hit by sudden hailstorms, causing widespread disruption and damage to property and agriculture.

According to meteorologist Dr Md Omar Faruq of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, thunderstorms are likely to continue affecting six major divisions, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet. Isolated areas in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions may also experience brief spells of rain accompanied by strong winds.

He added that some regions may witness sporadic hailstorms, which could intensify the risk of damage to crops, roofs, and rural infrastructure. The unstable weather pattern is expected to persist for 48 to 72 hours.

Affected Areas and Forecast Overview

The unstable atmospheric conditions are being driven by a trough of low pressure extending over West Bengal and adjoining regions, while a seasonal low remains active over the southern Bay of Bengal. Meteorologists say this interaction is contributing to increased convective activity across the country.

Wind patterns in the capital, Dhaka, have been recorded at approximately 8 to 12 kilometres per hour, blowing from the south and south-west. Humidity levels in the city stood at around 46 per cent on Monday evening, indicating relatively dry but unstable atmospheric conditions conducive to sudden thunderstorms.

Temperature variations across the country remain significant. The lowest temperature was recorded in Sylhet at 18.5°C, while the highest temperature reached 35.2°C in Rajshahi, reflecting the seasonal transition between late dry conditions and the approaching pre-monsoon period.

Recent Weather Impacts

On Tuesday, several districts experienced intense hailstorms and sudden rainfall, including Khulna’s Koyra upazila, Satkhira, Chapainawabganj, and Dinajpur. In Koyra alone, rainfall was recorded at approximately 52 millimetres, marking one of the highest single-day totals in the region during this spell.

The hailstorms caused significant disruption in rural areas. Reports indicate that thousands of homes have been damaged, with tin roofs punctured and partially destroyed in many villages. In agricultural zones, particularly in Chapainawabganj, farmers have reported severe losses to mango and litchi orchards, which are currently in a critical growth stage.

Local authorities and disaster management officials are assessing the extent of the damage, particularly in vulnerable rural communities where housing structures are less resistant to severe weather conditions.

Meteorological Context

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department stated that the prevailing weather instability is influenced by a combination of regional low-pressure systems and seasonal atmospheric transitions. The interaction between moist air from the Bay of Bengal and warmer continental air masses is creating conditions favourable for convective storm development.

Such Kalbaishakhi storms are a common feature of the pre-monsoon season in Bangladesh, typically occurring between March and May. However, meteorologists caution that the intensity and unpredictability of recent events underline the need for continued vigilance.

Authorities have urged residents, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, to take precautionary measures during thunderstorm alerts, including securing fragile structures, avoiding open fields during storms, and staying informed through official weather updates.

The forecast indicates that weather conditions are likely to remain unstable over the coming days before gradually easing.