Dhaka, Feb. 22 -- An unexpected spell of rain triggered traffic congestion across Dhaka on Saturday evening, causing suffering for commuters.

The light rain, accompanied by thundershowers, began shortly after 6pm and lasted only a few minutes.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), 7.2 mm of rainfall was recorded between 3 pm and 6:30 pm on the day.

"This falls within the normal pre-monsoon criteria. Typically, the pre-monsoon season begins in March, but this year it arrived in the last week of February," said Quazi Jebunnessa, a meteorologist at the BMD.

The Met Office had predicted rain or thundershowers in one or two places across Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet d...