Bangladesh
Eid-ul-Azha celebrated today in some parts of Bangladesh
In line with celebration in Saudi Arabia, Muslim devotees of a number of villages in Satkhira, Barishal, Kurigram and Chandpur districts celebrated the holy Eid-ul-Azha on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia, other Middle East countries and a number of countries across the world celebrated the festival of sacrifice on Wednesday. But Bangladesh will celebrate Eid on Thursday.
In Satkhira, people from 20 villages in sadar upazila, including Baukhola, joined the celebration on Wednesday.
The main congregation was held at Satkhira sadar’s Ahlae Sunnat Al Jamaat Jame Mosque at 8am. Imam Mahbubur Rahman conducted the congregation with a small number of Muslim devotees.
Muslims of several villages including Islamkati, Goalchattor, Bhadra, Ghona and Mirgindanga follow Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries while celebrating Eid. The main Eid congregations of the upazila were held in Bharkhali.
In Chandpur, residents of over 50 villages in the district celebrated Eid amid much enthusiasm and religious fervour.
Read: Eid-ul-Azha 2023: 5 jamaats to be held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque
The followers of late Pir Allama Mawlana Ishaq have been celebrating the Eid keeping consistent with Saudi Arabia for 90 years.
The villagers of Barishal, Sreepur, Monihar, Barkul, Olipur, Belcho, Razargaon, Jakni, Kalcho, Menapur in Hajiganj upazila, Sachonmegh, Khila Ubhayarampur, Paikpara, Bigha, Uttoli, Balithuba, Sholla, Rupsha, Goalbhaor, Koroitoli, Noyarhat in Faridganj upazila, Mahanpur, Ekhlaspur, Dashani, Nayergaon, Beltoli in Matlab South and Kachua upazilas celebrated the Eid on Wednesday.
The main Eid congregation was held this morning on Shadra Senior Madrasa premises in Shadra village under Hajiganj upazila.
In Barishal, the holy Eid was celebrated in advance in some villages of several upazilas of the district.
Around 25,000 devotees of Babuganj, Hijla, Mehendiganj, Bakerganj and three areas of Barishal metropolis offered Eid prayers in the congregations from 8 am to 9 am.
Read:Zilhajj moon sighted: Bangladesh to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on June 29
In Dinajpur, some 2,000 Muslim devotees in six upazilas including sadar and Chirirbandar celebrated the Eid on Wednesday.
The main congregation was held at a community centre in sadar upazila of the district.
They have been celebrating the Eid in line with Saudi Arabia since 2007.
In Kurigram, the Eid was celebrated in four upazilas-- Bhurungamari, Chilmari, Rowmari and Char Rajibpur of the district.
Read more: Eid-ul-Azha 2023: Saudi Arabia sets June 28 as date
Amid relatively lower demand during Eid vacation, 3 large power units start generation
When the country’s overall electricity demand dropped to 8,200 MW during a national holiday when all the offices, industries and establishments are closed on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, three large power plants announced the start of operations of their three generation units.
These are—second unit (660 MW) of Rampal power plant, second unit of (800 MW) of Adani Power Plant in India and first unit (612 MW) of S Alam’s SS Power plant in Banskhali in Chattogram.
Normally, the demand for electricity in Bangladesh is 12,000 MW at day peak time and goes up to 16,000 MW during peak hours in the evening.
The National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC) data shows both the demand and supply was 7,917 MW at 12 noon on Wednesday when there was no official load shedding.
“The demand may go up to 9,000 MW”, said a top official of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
He said both relatively rain-driven calm weather and closure of offices, industries and commercial establishments led to this drastic fall in electricity demands in the country.
In such a retatively much lower demand situation, the three new units have added electricity to the national grid.
Of these, Adani Group has already announced the commercial operation date (COD) of second unit of its 1600 MW Godda power plant on June 26, exclusively set up in Jharkhand in India to supply electricity to Bangladesh.
Read: Despite further increase in power generation country reels under severe power cuts
“Today (Wednesday), the second unit of Rampal 1320 MW (660X2) was synchronised with national grid at 8:51 am”, Shamim Hasan, director public relation of BPDB, said in a text message.
The Alam Group in a press release said its SS Power Plant will begin supplying electricity again today (Wednesday, June 28) at 2 a.m. on an experimental basis, despite the official inauguration being scheduled after Eid-ul-Adha.
Electricity equivalent to a maximum of 612 MW as per demand will be supplied experimentally every day.
This decision has been made in response to the public's demand for electricity and with the aim of addressing the national power crisis.
The SS Power authority is optimistic that this timely initiative will effectively contribute to resolving the power shortage in the country.
With its experimental run of power supply, the SS Power Plant is anticipated to have a significant impact on stabilising the national grid and alleviating the negative consequences of power outages.
Additionally, the plant is dedicated to meeting the energy requirements of the nation with utmost determination, aiming to provide uninterrupted power supply for the country's economic growth, industrial operations, and the everyday lives of its people.
Read: After record, country’s power generation again drops below 15,000 MW
Md. Ebadat Hossain Bhuiyan, Chief Financial Officer, SS Power Plant, said, although the official inauguration of the power plant is scheduled to be held after Eid-Ul-Adha, they have decided to resume supplying power to the national grid on an experimental basis, considering the national interest and the demand of the public.
“We are expecting that the power plant will commence full-fledged electricity supply to the people of the country next month, in accordance with our scheduled inauguration plan."
Due to the global crisis of the US dollar and energy, several power plants in Bangladesh have faced disruptions in production.
That is why load shedding has affected people’s daily life. In this circumstance, electricity supply from one of the two units of the SS Power Plant to the national grid started on May 24.
After the successful completion of the experimental power supply process, the power plant was temporarily shut down on June 8 as planned, and the commissioning process started, the S Alam Group said.
Read more: Power generation rises to 15,304 MW setting new record
Heavy rains: DNCC's Quick Response Team working to handle waterlogging
The Quick Response Team (QRT) of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has been working to reduce the waterlogging caused by excessive rains since Tuesday.
Water has already been drained from the main roads. About 20 trees that were uprooted on the roads due to rain have also been removed and traffic movement has been restored, according to a press release.
Also read: Rain brings relief, disrupts pre-Eid traffic movement in Dhaka
Five pumps of DNCC in Kalyanpur have been in use since the morning to remove the waterlogging caused by heavy rains.
Quick response teams are being sent to the areas where waterlogging is still seen and the drains of those areas are being cleaned and water flow is being ensured.
Also read: Light to moderate rain may continue in Dhaka, other divisions: BMD’s weather forecast
If there is any water logging anywhere, citizens have been requested to take pictures through the “Shobar Dhaka” app and mention the location.
DNCC hotline can also be reached by calling 16106.
Also read: Rain, few vehicles on the street during Eid holidays make Dhaka air quality ‘moderate’
The departments concerned, including the engineering department and the waste department, have been working since late Tuesday night under the direction of DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam. The waterlogging situation is being monitored round-the-clock and action is being taken, according to the press release.
Newly elected Barishal Councillor Selim dies
Newly elected councillor of Barishal City Corporation (BCC), Selim Hawladar, died on Wednesday. He was 59.
Selim suffered a brain stroke at 12 am on Tuesday and was taken to Barishal Medical College and Hospital.
Also read: AL-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah wins Barishal City Corporation election
He died at Bhanga in Faridpur, on the way to Dhaka, around 6 am as the doctors referred him to Dhaka for better treatment, said former general secretary of Barishal Reporters Unity Quamrul Ahsan.
Also read: BCC polls: 19 BNP leaders expelled for life in Barishal
Selim was elected councillor for the sixth time, and was scheduled to take oath on July 3.
Also read: Barishal City Polls: 10 Mayoral candidates submit nomination papers
He will be buried following a namaz-e-janaza at Bazar Road Khaza Moinuddin Madrasa after Asr prayers, said Murad Hossain, Selim’s nephew.
ADB appoints Fatima Yasmin as Vice-President for sectors, themes
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Fatima Yasmin as Vice-President for Sectors and Themes for a period of three years.
Yasmin is expected to join ADB in late August, ADB announced on Wednesday.
She will be responsible for management of the newly-created Sectors Group and the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department under ADB’s new operating model.
Yasmin is currently the Senior Secretary at the Finance Division of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Finance.
She has more than 32 years of broad development experience, including in macroeconomic management, public sector and fiscal policy reform, and trade and poverty reduction in government and international organizations.
Read: ADB approves $400mn loan to Bangladesh to enhance revenues, reforms, help small businesses
Under its new operating model, to be launched on June 30, 2023, ADB’s sector and thematic expertise will be consolidated in the two groups under Yasmin to deliver integrated solutions to clients in accordance with country programs and to strengthen ADB’s position as a leader in development knowledge in the region.
The sector and thematic groups will launch and lead innovative initiatives to tackle the region’s key development challenges, with a focus on climate change.
Yasmin holds a master’s degree in development economics from Australian National University and a master’s in business administration from the Institute of Business Administration, Dhaka University, in Bangladesh.
Read: OECD and ADB delegation meets with BGMEA president
She also received a fellowship in Public Policy and Human Rights under the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program at Rutgers University in New Jersey, United States.
Read more: ADB lowers Bangladesh’s GDP growth forecast to 5.3% in FY 23
Rain brings relief, disrupts pre-Eid traffic movement in Dhaka
Intermittent rains, triggered by active monsoon, may continue on Eid-ul-Azha day (tomorrow) across the country, including in Dhaka, said the Met office today.
“The Met Office has recorded 15 mm of rainfall across the country from 6 am Tuesday till 6 am Wednesday, but between 6 am to 12 pm on Wednesday, it has recorded 42 mm of rainfall,” said Tariful Newaz Kabir, a meteorologist.
“The continued rainfall may prolong through Thursday morning and it may abate in the afternoon,” he added.
People who left for village homes to celebrate Eid with their near and dear ones are facing traffic congestion and other problems due to the rain.
Met office predicts rains in Dhaka, other divisions
Besides, those who are yet to purchase their sacrificial animals are facing inconveniences at the cattle market.
Rickshaws and CNG-run auto-rickshaws are charging extra fare, taking advantage of the inclement weather.
Rains or thundershowers likely to drench Dhaka, 18 other districts
According to Met Office bulletin, light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at most places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country.
Rains likely in Dhaka, other divisions : BMD
Light to moderate rain may continue in Dhaka, other divisions: BMD’s weather forecast
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Wednesday predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers across the country as monsoon is active in Bangladesh.
“Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur at most places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over the country,” said the Met office.
Rains or thundershowers likely to drench Dhaka, 18 other districts
Day and night temperatures may fall by 1-2°C in the country.
Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over north Bay, the weather report said.
Rains likely in Dhaka, other divisions
2 dead as bus overturns on Bogura-Rangpur highway
Two people were dead and two were injured when a bus overturned on Bogura-Rangpur highway at Chandihara in Shibganj upazila of Bogura district on Wednesday.
One of the deceased was identified as Al Amin, 15, of Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur district while the identity of the other deceased could not be known immediately.
3 killed in Bogura road crash
Aminul Islam, officer-in-charge of Gobindaganj Highway Police, said the accident occurred around 6 am when the Rangpur-bound bus of ‘Boishakhi Paribahan’ overturned after hitting a road divider, leaving two dead on the spot and two others injured.
The injured were taken to a local hospital.
Schoolboy dies in road crash in Bogura
Rain, few vehicles on the street during Eid holidays make Dhaka air quality ‘moderate’
Dhaka's air quality was ‘moderate’ this morning (June 28, 2023) due to the ongoing rain.
Besides, few vehicles on the street also contributed to improved air quality, as the Eid-ul-Azha holidays began on Tuesday.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 55 at 10:49 am, the densely populated capital city of Bangladesh ranked 40th in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with an acceptable air quality. However, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
With less traffic as Eid holidays begin, Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning
Dubai in UAE, Detroit and Chicago in the US occupied the first three spots in the list, with AQI scores of 229, 205 and 174, respectively.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
Dhaka's air quality 'moderate' this morning
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
15 stranded tourists rescued from Mirsarai fountain after 999 call
Police have rescued 15 tourists, who remained stranded in the fountain area of Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram district on Tuesday.
On Tuesday morning, 15 students of different universities including Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) , Chattogram Medical College, Dhaka University, Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), Khulna Agriculture University and Green Herald School and College, went to Sonaichhari hill to see fountain under Wahedpur union of the upazila and got struck due to rain, said Kabir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Mirsarai Police Station.
Avalanche sweeps away tourists in northeast India; 7 killed
It was difficult for them to walk on foot on the road as it gets slippery, said Ayon Chowdhury, a student of Buet. “We all are friends as we were the students of St Placid's School & College in Chattogram. During the Eid holiday we made a plan to go to Mirsarai to see the fountains,” he said.
Later, they made a phone call to the national emergency number 999 and sought help.
Tourists can’t carry single-use plastics in Sundarbans: Environment Minister
After getting their phone call, police and fire service men rescued them in the evening.
All of them were handed over to their families, said OC.
Over 500 tourists stranded on St Martin's Island due to inclement weather