Rajshahi, Mar 20 (V7N)– Residents of Rajshahi, Kushtia, and Pabna have been warned of impending thunderstorms and strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 60 kilometers per hour, expected by this evening.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning for river ports in these areas, advising them to display warning signal number 1.

"Temporary gusty or squally winds with rain or thunderstorms at a speed of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour are likely to blow over Rajshahi, Kushtia, and Pabna regions from the west or northwest by 6 pm on Thursday," stated meteorologist Abul Kalam Mallick.

Adding to the concern, Mustafa Kamal Palash, a weather and climate researcher at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, has also forecast heavy rains and thunderstorms for several districts by Thursday afternoon.

Palash, in a Facebook post, highlighted the potential for moderate to heavy rain and lightning across all districts of Rajshahi division, northern districts of Khulna division, and Mymensingh division between 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. Thursday.

Furthermore, he warned of a high probability of moderate to heavy rainfall with severe thunderstorms in some upazilas of Sylhet, Sunamganj, and Moulvibazar districts in Sylhet division during the same period.

END/RAR/RH/