Bangladesh records lowest June rainfall in seven years amid rising temperatures
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Bangladesh experienced a significant meteorological shift this June, recording 29 percent less rainfall than the historical average—the lowest level for the month in seven years. This rainfall deficit, documented by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, underscores a troubling trend that experts warn could have cascading effects on national agriculture and public health.
Meteorologist Md. Bazlur Rashid noted that the decline has been consistent since 2022. While 2021 saw rainfall 18 percent above normal, the country has faced progressively drier Junes over the last three years. Given that June is traditionally the second-wettest month of the year, following July, this substantial shortfall represents a critical disruption to the monsoon cycle.
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Long-term climate data analysis corroborates that this shift is part of a broader pattern of warming. Research published in the Journal of Environment indicates that average maximum temperatures in Bangladesh have been rising at a rate of 0.019 degrees Celsius annually since 1976. This warming trend is most pronounced between May and September, with June experiencing an average annual increase of 0.033 degrees Celsius. Data from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) further highlights that the number of warm days has increased by approximately 12 days per decade, accompanied by a lengthening of consecutive dry spells.
The human impact of these changes is increasingly measured by the “discomfort index,” which accounts for both temperature and humidity. According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE this March, June ranks as a period of high discomfort for residents. Experts warn that the combination of high temperatures and humidity significantly exacerbates health risks for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and outdoor laborers, while simultaneously reducing industrial and agricultural productivity.
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Agriculture remains particularly vulnerable to this instability. June is the vital window for preparing seedbeds for Aman rice. Agricultural scientist Mrityunjoy Roy explained that the lack of seasonal rain forces farmers to rely on irrigation, thereby inflating production costs. Should the dry conditions persist into July, it poses a severe threat to the national rice harvest.
While meteorologists caution that a single month’s data does not serve as definitive proof of climate change, the convergence of consecutive years of low rainfall with long-term warming trends points toward a clear, systemic shift in the region’s climate character. As the country grapples with the fallout of this recent dry spell, the focus remains on whether subsequent monsoon months can recover the lost precipitation or if this year will serve as another milestone in the rapidly evolving climate narrative of Bangladesh.
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