Historically, April and May in Bangladesh have always meant intense heat, dry conditions, and occasional Nor’wester storms. But the current picture of April and May in 2026 has completely upended that familiar pattern.
Severe thunderstorms, hailstorms, and persistent rainfall have made this year’s pre‑monsoon season one of the wettest in decades. Meteorologists and climate experts do not view this as a mere anomaly; they confirm it signals a lasting change in Bangladesh’s weather.
Key data and meteorological irregularities: According to recent data from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), rainfall in April this year was about 75.7% above normal, the highest in the past five years.
In particular, the capital Dhaka recorded roughly 80% more rainfall than usual. Large amounts of moisture transported from the Bay of Bengal, combined with an unusually positioned upper‑level westerly trough, have produced these intense cloud systems.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has repeatedly warned that rising global temperatures increase the atmosphere’s capacity to hold water vapor, and this directly contributes to sudden extreme rainfall events.
Multifaceted impacts on agriculture and daily life: This out‑of‑season heavy rainfall and hailstorm activity have put Bangladesh’s agricultural calendar at serious risk.
- Crop damage: Boro paddy (a variety of rice) in the fields and summer vegetables have been extensively damaged by hailstorms.
- Urbanization and waterlogging: In large cities such as Dhaka and Chattogram, poorly planned drainage systems are causing prolonged waterlogging even after relatively modest rainfall, paralyzing daily life.
- Health risks: Abrupt weather changes are increasing the incidence of waterborne diseases in coastal and urban areas.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has identified South Asia as a climate‑change hotspot. The extreme weather of 2026 demonstrates that, without rapid increases in adaptation capacity and the development of climate‑resilient infrastructure, future food security will face a major threat.
