United News of Bangladesh

Two more people have died of dengue fever in the past 24 hours, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 202 this year. During this period, 396 more patients were hospitalised with the viral fever, bringing the total number of cases to 48,228 so far this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new deaths were reported in Chattogram Division (outside city corporation) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), the DGHS said. According to the latest data, the new cases were reported as follows: 87 in Barishal Division (outside city corporation), 96 in Chattogram Division (outside city corporation), 90 in Dhaka Division (outside city corporation), 52 in Dhaka North City Corporation, 56 in Dhaka South City Corporation, and 15 in Rajshahi Division (outside city corporation). Currently, 2,344 patients are undergoing treatment at various hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. The DGHS recorded 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries during the same period. In 2023, 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record.

Some low-lying areas in the port city of Chattogram were submerged due to heavy overnight rainfall, causing immense suffering of residents, commuters, particularly office-bound people on Thursday. From Wednesday night until Thursday morning, torrential rainfall left knee-deep water in areas, including Chawkbazar, Muradpur, Kapasgola, Bahaddarhat, Agrabad, Katalkhola, WASA Mor and GEC Intersection. Many commuters were forced to wade through flooded streets to reach their destinations on Thursday morning timely. Fazlul Rahman, a businessman, said he had to walk from Muradpur to Natun Bridge due to stagnant water. It was extremely difficult and time-consuming. Echoing Fazlul, a resident from Chawkbazar’s kitchen market area Abdul Hamid said water began to rise around 9 am, reaching waist level within a short time on Thursday. As the streets of those areas were submerged, rickshaw and CNG drivers charged extra fares taking the advantage of the waterlogging. Commuter Mamunur Rashid said he had to pay Tk 80 instead of the usual Tk 50 to go to his office in Muradpur from Gate No-2. Waterlogging hampers goods handling at Benapole port Blaming poor drainage and uncleaned canals for the recurring problem, a resident from the Muradpur area alleged that every monsoon they face the same misery but authorities fail to implement a permanent solution. According to the Chattogram Met Office, 81 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in 24 hours till noon Thursday. Met Officer Mahmudul Alam said the monsoon is active and rain may continue for the next two to three days, forecasting a landslide and urging people living in risky hilly pockets to relocate to safer areas. Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said water accumulated in several areas overnight but started to recede by Thursday afternoon.

Police on Wednesday filed three separate cases against 1,000 unidentified people over the recent violence in Khagrachhari Sadar and Guimara upazilas for attacks on law enforcers and murders. Violence flared in the hill district over the alleged rape of an indigenous schoolgirl. Three indigenous men were shot dead during the violence. The case filed with Khagrachhari Sadar police station accused 600–700 unidentified people of breaching Section 144, engaging in vandalism, rioting and assaulting police. Sub-Inspector Shahriar filed the case. The officer-in-charge of the police station, Abdul Baten Mridha, confirmed. The remaining two cases were filed with the Guimara police station over a murder and attacks on police during the unrest on the same day. BGB urges media to report factually on Khagrachhari tensions; identities of 3 victims revealed Nearly 300 unidentified people were sued in the cases, said Guimara police station OC Enamul Haque Chowdhury, adding that the situation in the upazila was now under control. Shoyon Shil, who was arrested on charges of raping the child, was produced before court on Wednesday afternoon after a six-day remand. The Khagrachhari Senior Judicial Magistrate Court ordered him to be sent to jail, police said. OC Baten also said that the situation in Khagrachhari became normal amid Section 144 remaining in effect.

The number of confirmed anthrax infections climbed to 17, with four new individuals diagnosed with the disease in three upazilas of Rangpur. Among the new cases, two were identified in Kaunia, one in Pirgachha, and one in Mithapukur upazilas. The northern district’s civil surgeon, Shaheen Sultana, said that they have so far received 23 suspected anthrax cases, and 17 of them tested positive. The first 13 anthrax infections were detected in Pirgachha, where two people died in July and September with symptoms of the disease. The first team from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) arrived in Pirgachha last month. On September 13 and 14, they collected samples from 18 suspected patients. Of those tested, 13 were found infected with anthrax. Anthrax outbreak spreads in Rangpur, sparks concern in northern districts Livestock samples collected from the affected areas were also found to be infected, according to sources at the IEDCR. Health experts warn that anthrax spreads to humans through contact with infected animals or their products—meat, blood, hides and bones—but not from person to person. The disease typically causes skin lesions and ulcers. Livestock officials said vaccination drives have been intensified. District Livestock office reported that over 165,000 cattle, goats and sheep have been vaccinated in Pirgachha, Kaunia, Mithapukur and Rangpur Sadar since August 26.

The five-day Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the minority Hindu community, ends today with the immersion of the idol of Goddess Durga across Bangladesh, including the capital. Devotees thronged puja mandaps on the last day of the festival, Bijoya Dashami, offering flowers to the goddess Durga and seeking her blessings. Puja mandaps across the country were placed with beautiful idols, showcasing the goddess in all her glory. Bijoya Dashami is a special ceremony of reaffirming peace and good relations among people.

Journalists boycotted a press conference of the National Citizen Party (NCP) at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday morning after some media personnel were allegedly assaulted by the party activists. The incident took place at the airport’s VIP gate, witnesses said. According to media workers, NCP Member-Secretary Akhter Hossen and Senior Joint Member-Secretary Tasnim Jara returned home after attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.  Party leaders and activists gathered at the airport to welcome them. NCP among 2 parties set to get registration: EC Secretary As leaders of other political parties were speaking at the VIP gate, NCP activists started chanting slogans.  When journalists asked them to stop, the activists swooped on the media personnel, leaving several journalists assaulted. Protesting the incident, journalists boycotted the press conference. Three hours later, the NCP issued a press release, terming the incident “deplorable and regrettable.” The party also said it would investigate the matter and take organisational action against those responsible.

The deep depression over Westcentral Bay and adjoining Northwest Bay likely to move north-northwestwards direction and may cross Odisha and adjoining Andhra Pradesh coasts between Gopalpur and Paradip around 09 pm on Thursday. It is now lies over Northwest Bay and adjoining Westcentral Bay at no12 pm, said a special bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). It was about 835 km southwest of Chattogram port, 810 km southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 665 km southwest of Mongla port and 685 km southwest of Payra port. Under its influence, steep pressure gradient persists over North Bay. Gusty or squally weather may affect the maritime ports, the North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh. Maximum sustained wind speed within 48 km of the depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain rough near the Deep Depression centre. Depression intensifies into ‘Deep Depression’ over Bay Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No three. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.  

The Depression over Westcentral Bay and adjoining area   moved northwestwards, intensified into a Deep Depression over Westcentral Bay and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal (near lat. 16.9°N and long. 86.0°E), according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Thursday. It was centered at 6am on Thursday about 875 km southwest of Chattogram port, 830 km southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 735 km southwest of Mongla port and 740 km southwest of Payra port, according to third special weather bulletin of the met office. It is likely to move north­ northwestwards direction further. Under its influence, steep pressure gradient persists over North Bay. Gusty or squally weather may affect the maritime ports, the North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, reads the bulletin. Maximum sustained wind speed within 48 km of the depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain rough near the Deep Depression centre. Depression weakens into well-marked low: BMD Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No-3. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice, so that they can take shelter within a short notice.

At least three people, including two women, were killed and 10 others injured when a speeding bus lost control and ploughed into a roadside shop in Daganbhuiyan upazila of Feni district on Thursday. Two of the deceased were identified as Shamim Ara Begum, 50, wife of Shahidullah from Khushipur area, Md Shraban, 20, son of Abdul Matin from Dakshin Jaylaskar village of the upazila. Officer-in-charge (OC) of Mohipal Highway Police Station Harunur Rashid said the accident occurred around 10:15am when the Noakhali-bound bus of ‘Sugandha Paribahan’ from Feni Sadar skidded and hit an electric pole before crashing into the shop on Feni-Noakhali regional road near the entrance of Lucky Road adjacent to Silonia Bazar. The accident left at least 13 people injured, he said. Businessman killed in Meherpur road crash Locals rescued the injured and sent them to Feni General Hospital where physicians declared three of them dead on arrival, the OC said. Of the injured, seven are receiving treatment at the hospital, one was shifted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital and two others were released after giving first aid, he said, adding that the bodies have been kept at the hospital morgue. Blaming the reckless driving during rains, highway police officials said the bus was seized and legal action will be taken.