The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a revised travel warning for UK tourists heading to Bangladesh, citing an increased risk of seasonal flash floods. The updated guidance, published on the FCDO's 'Warnings and Insurance' page on Thursday, April 30, highlights new information on pre-monsoon flooding in the northeast region, particularly around Sylhet.
Key Risks and Advice
The FCDO warns that travel insurance may be invalidated if tourists travel against official advice. According to the statement: 'There is an increased risk of seasonal flooding in parts of northeast Bangladesh, including the Sylhet region, due to heavy rainfall during the pre-monsoon period. Flash floods may occur with little warning and could disrupt transport, utilities, and access to services, especially in low-lying and river-adjacent areas.'
Tourists are advised to monitor updates from the Bangladesh Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, and to follow instructions from local authorities.
Weather Outlook for March 2026
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department's one-month outlook, released on April 1, reveals that above-normal rainfall (31% more than average) was recorded nationwide in March 2026. However, divisions such as Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram experienced below-normal rainfall. The report notes: 'Light to moderately heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning, hail, gusty, and squally winds occurred in many areas during 2-3, 8-16, 18-22, and 24-31 March due to the convergence of westerly and easterly wind flows. The highest rainfall, 83 mm, was recorded in Sylhet on 13 March.'
Temperature data shows the highest maximum temperature of 37.8°C in Jashore on 27 March, while the lowest minimum was 14.2°C in Rajarhat on 4 March. Overall, maximum temperatures were 0.4°C below normal, with minimum and mean temperatures 0.9°C and 0.3°C below normal, respectively. The report confirms that temperature, agrometeorological, and river conditions were consistent with earlier forecasts.
The forecast was developed through analysis of weather observations, upper-level patterns, atmospheric charts, climate models, and inputs from global centres including ECMWF, JMA, NOAA, IRI-Columbia University, APCC, RIMES, and C3S.
UK tourists planning travel to Bangladesh are strongly urged to check the latest FCDO advice and stay informed about evolving weather conditions.
