Three BMD radars out of service, forecasts continue with two
Bangladesh Weather Forecasting Continues Despite Radar Gaps
Thebangladaily.com – Bangladesh’s weather forecasting service is continuing its regular work with only two operational radar stations, while three others located in Cox’s Bazar, Khepupara and Moulvibazar have remained out of service for an extended period.
The limited radar coverage presents a particular concern for monitoring weather systems developing over the Bay of Bengal. With both non-functioning coastal radar sites unavailable, meteorologists cannot receive radar information from deep-sea areas through those stations. That can reduce the amount of immediate observational data available when weather conditions are changing offshore.
Radar is one of several tools used to observe atmospheric conditions. It can help track rainfall, clouds and storm-related activity within its range. In a country where coastal weather can have broad consequences for communities, transport and daily planning, the availability of these systems is an important part of the wider forecasting network.
Forecasts Draw on Multiple Data Sources
Despite the radar outages, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, or BMD, says its forecasts are not based on radar readings alone. The department combines mathematical forecasting models, satellite imagery and information collected through 275 automated weather stations.
Those automated stations provide weather observations from different locations, helping forecasters assess conditions such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind and atmospheric pressure. Satellite images add a broader view of cloud formations and weather systems, including activity over surrounding seas where local radar coverage may be limited.
Dr Abul Kalam Mallik, a senior meteorologist, said BMD prepares outlooks as far as five days in advance. He also noted that uncertainty remains an unavoidable element of weather prediction, especially when forecasts extend several days ahead.
“There is likelihood of errors in the forecast too.”
The possibility of forecast error does not necessarily mean a warning or outlook lacks value. Weather prediction involves estimating how complex atmospheric conditions may develop over time. Forecasts are updated as fresh observations, satellite images and model outputs become available. For readers, this means the newest official bulletin can be more useful than an earlier forecast when weather conditions are unsettled.
Satellite Data Strengthens Monitoring
BMD Director Mominul Islam said the department’s forecasting capacity has improved considerably compared with the past. He said the agency is also using satellite information from Japan, South Korea and China in its forecasting process.
“The forecasting capability of the department was far better than before.”
The use of satellite data allows forecasters to examine weather patterns across a much larger area than a single ground-based instrument can cover. This is particularly relevant for cloud systems and disturbances that form over the sea before moving toward land. Satellite observations, numerical models and station data can each offer different pieces of the broader weather picture.
Still, radar systems remain valuable because they can provide more localized and timely information about precipitation and related weather activity. When multiple forms of observation are available together, forecasters have more material to compare as they assess short-term changes and prepare public advisories.
Need for Expanded Radar Coverage
Weather scientists have emphasized the need for new radar stations, with particular attention to the country’s south-eastern region. The call reflects the importance of strengthening observation capacity in areas where weather conditions from the Bay of Bengal can affect coastal districts and nearby communities.
Cox’s Bazar and Khepupara are both coastal locations, making the long-term loss of radar service there especially significant for offshore monitoring. Moulvibazar, meanwhile, is in the north-east, where a functioning radar site could contribute to a broader national picture of weather activity.
Improving radar coverage would not replace existing forecasting methods. Rather, it would add another operational source of data to the department’s current system. Mathematical models can project likely developments, automated stations can record conditions on the ground, and satellites can show large-scale cloud patterns. Radar can provide an additional layer of observation, especially when rapid changes need close monitoring.
For the public, the continuing availability of official forecasts remains important even while the radar network is incomplete. People planning travel, fishing, farming, outdoor work or other weather-sensitive activities can benefit from checking updated advisories, particularly during periods of rain, strong winds or changing coastal conditions.
The current situation highlights both the progress made by Bangladesh’s weather service and the practical need to restore or expand critical monitoring infrastructure. BMD’s use of automated stations, models and international satellite data allows forecasts to continue, but operational radar stations would further strengthen the information available to forecasters and the communities that rely on their warnings.
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