Rains would continue in all eight divisions of the country until Saturday, due to the presence of an acute low-pressure in the Bay of Bengal, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday morning.

Heavy rains started past midnight on Wednesday, and the highest rainfall across the country was recorded in Dhaka in the 24 hours till Wednesday morning. The 206-milimetre rainfall was also likely the highest in a day in Dhaka this year, meteorologists said.

Heavy rains, sometimes accompanied by thunders, are forecast in many parts of the country for the next three days.

Due to the sudden worsening in rain patterns, Cautionary Signal No 3 has been hoisted at all the four seaports in Chattogra, Mongla, Payra and Cox’s Bazar. Fishing boats and trawlers have been instructed to operate close to the coast and avoid deep sea areas.