The present spell of rain is likely to continue across the country today, though a little lighter than yesterday (Thursday). Heavy rain across the hills in north-east India has pushed up rivers in the south-east and north-east. The Muhuri burst its banks in flash floods, sweeping villages and flood protection barriers, the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) and the Met Office said. Apart from the Muhuri, south-eastern rivers like the Halda, Sangu and the Matamuhuri are expected to rise rapidly in the next 24 and 72 hours, the FFWC added.

The Met Office said intensity of the rain lessened yesterday and it may slow down further today. However, some of the areas in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may have moderately heavy to heavy falls at places.

The rain that began in the morning continued throughout yesterday, only to slow down in the evening, causing immense difficulties for commuters. Most buses were taken off the road by operators fearing vandalism by agitating students.

The temperature in the capital dropped to 30.5 degrees Celsius. The temperature is likely to remain nearly unchanged today, Mizanur Rahman, a meteorologist at the Dhaka weather office, said.