Microbursts in Bangladesh

Did you know that before a storm strikes in Bangladesh, nature sometimes sends a deadly warning? One such phenomenon is the microburst—an intense downdraft capable of devastating an area in minutes. While researching for Monsoon Rendezvous, I learned how these sudden, thunderstorm-linked gusts often hit without warning, leaving locals with almost no time to react.

In the novel, Clara and Blake experience this firsthand when a microburst tears through their command tent. These events are especially treacherous due to the violent gusts followed by sudden calm, creating a false sense of security. As Clara notes, “Some microbursts last only minutes, but this was different.” The rain strikes like “a thousand needles” one moment, then vanishes, only to return with fierce, chaotic force.

Unlike in southeastern Canada, where such storms are rare, the people of Bangladesh live with the constant unpredictability of these intense weather events. As Clara observes, “The storm doesn’t care about probabilities and averages.” For those of us far from monsoon regions, it’s hard to imagine the vigilance required to live in a place where the weather can shift from calm to catastrophic in moments.

Want to feel the full force of monsoon season through Clara and Blake’s eyes? Monsoon Rendezvous releases January 15, 2025, wherever books are sold.