Heavy rains hit supply chain, ports face delays

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh is bracing for continued heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours, as a land depression over Sherpur and adjoining Meghalaya weakens into a well-marked low, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

In a bulletin issued on Thursday evening, the BMD warned that widespread rainfall is likely in several divisions including Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet. The bulletin, signed by meteorologist Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, categorises heavy rainfall as 44-88mm within 24 hours and very heavy rainfall as exceeding 88mm.

The department further cautioned that due to heavy downpours, landslides may occur in hilly districts such as Chattogram, Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari, and Cox’s Bazar. Temporary waterlogging is also expected in parts of Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas.

Persistent rainfall has already caused disruption in many parts of the country. Dhaka recorded 196mm of rain in a 24-hour period from Wednesday morning, while Noakhali experienced the highest rainfall nationwide at 285mm.

Other significant figures included 242mm in Chandpur, 179mm in Cumilla, 164mm in Chattogram, 160mm each in Khepupara and Madaripur, and 141mm in Barishal.

Chattogram, in particular, has been experiencing heavy downpours, with 198.5mm recorded in the past 24 hours as of Thursday noon. Despite the intensity, major waterlogging was largely avoided thanks to pre-monsoon drainage efforts.

“We prepared early by dredging canals and clearing drains,” said Commander Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Chief Cleaning Officer of the Chattogram City Corporation.

Nonetheless, some low-lying areas, including Badurtala and parts of Bahaddarhat, faced temporary waterlogging that began to recede by late morning. Flood-prone neighbourhoods such as DC Road, Bakalia, Muradpur, and Chawk Bazar remained largely unaffected.

Maritime activity, however, has been significantly hampered. The BMD has maintained Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 for all maritime ports, and rough weather has pushed two small vessels aground near Patenga-one reportedly carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Lightering operations at Chattogram port’s outer anchorage have been suspended due to safety concerns, fuelling fears of vessel congestion.

Revenue Officer Al Amin from Chattogram Customs House confirmed that port operations have slowed by 40-45% as a result. “Inspections are currently suspended, and only pre-cleared cargo is being released,” he said.

Adding to the logistical strain, port activities were also disrupted earlier on 25 May by a standoff involving revenue officials. Seventeen ships carrying 24,000 import containers awaited berthing at the time, with 42,315 TEUs stored.

Importers have raised concerns over mounting demurrage costs-$38 per 40-foot container per day, which rises to nearly $180 from the eighth day-alongside penalties from shipping lines exceeding $180 plus VAT daily.

Although Chattogram’s improved drainage has mitigated flooding risks, authorities remain vigilant as adverse weather conditions are expected to persist for another two to three days.