The monsoon, which came a little later than its expected arrival on June 17, left Bangladesh yesterday (Monday). It left a new record in recent times of 20-25 per cent more than average rainfall in its five months' stay. In June, the precipitations were 3.7 per cent higher than average. Similarly, in July, it showered 32.7 per cent more, in August 29.3 per cent plus and in September 9.5 per cent more. In October, there have been 10.7 per cent higher precipitations till now. This left the season more wet and almost drowned the country in floods until September, records available from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department showed.

A senior meteorologist noted that the higher than average rainfall during its entire tenure was unusual. The departure was marked by unusually heavy downpour in Dhaka city, measuring 61mm, in the past 24 hours ending at 6am on Sunday. A similar pre-monsoon downpour in north-eastern Sylhet and Sunamganj flooded large areas, including the vast wetlands of "Haors", causing severe damage to ready-to-harvest Boro rice crops, the only rice crop in the area,

Similarly, floods in June to August caused heavy damage to rice and vegetables in the northern districts, as the rivers flowing down to the country were swollen by heavy rain upstream. The floods lingered longer than expected as the rains continued.

Senior meteorologist Ruhul Kuddus thinks the situation suggests something had gone wrong since the monsoon lingered on till its day of departure.

So much so that the fields had moisture lingering on, helping pests to grow and menacing the transplanted Aman, a major rice crop for the northern region farmers where they are using pesticides to drive away the menace without results, a witness reported after his visit to Gaibandha.

Kuddus said the situation was almost similar in 2015 when the rains were higher but not so much two years later. It could be the harbinger of change in climate, with rising temperatures causing global warming. But more studies are required.