United News of Bangladesh

A 50-year-old woman and her daughter were killed and two others injured when a train hit a CNG-run auto-rickshaw at Moulvipara level crossing in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district on Thursday. The deceased were identified as Masuda Akter, wife of Badiul Alam and her daughter Sanjida Akter Chumki, 28 of Moulvipara area. Quoting witnesses, Ashraf Siddique, in-charge of Railway Police, said the accident occurred in the afternoon when the Dhaka-bound ‘Mahanagar Express’ train hit the CNG-run auto-rickshaw while passing the level crossing, leaving two killed on the spot and two others injured. The CNG-run auto-rickshaw got twisted after being hit by the train and rolled over nearly 100 feet away from the rail track. The injured Badiul and his grandson Safwan were taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.

City Bank PLC, a private sector bank in Bangladesh, has secured a $75 million loan facility from two international development banks to boost private sector investment. The loan deal was signed among the City Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the New Development Bank (NDB) to boost investment and sustainable infrastructure development in Bangladesh. The total financing package includes $50 million from the AIIB and $25 million from the NDB. The funds will be allocated for investment in Bangladesh's private sector and key development areas, including power, energy efficiency, e-mobility, and digital infrastructure. The bank officially announced the financing package on Thursday (October 2), confirming the signing of the agreement with the international development institutions. City Bank CEO Masrur Arefin elected new chairman of ABB This loan is particularly significant as it is AIIB's first on-lending facility in Bangladesh without a sovereign guarantee to a private commercial bank or institution. For City Bank, the facility is expected to catalyze private sector capital investment, create opportunities for long-term infrastructure lending, and support the implementation of crucial development projects across various sectors. The management of City Bank expressed confidence that the partnership will significantly accelerate investment in renewable energy and infrastructure, which are vital for achieving the country's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Health and Family Welfare adviser Nurjahan Begum on Thursday said no one can spoil the communal harmony in Bangladesh. "No one can destroy communal harmony in Bangladesh. Humanity and service are respected like religion. It is important for us to remember this (spirit) from our respective places," she said. The health adviser made these remarks while visiting a Puja mandap on Kamal Ataturk Avenue in the city’s Banani area. She said that Durga Puja was being celebrated with enthusiasm and festivity across the country. “Today is Bijoya Dashami ... .Over the past few days, Puja was celebrated amid a joyous atmosphere throughout the country,” she added. During the visit, Puja organisers raised the demand for a permanent place in the Gulshan-Banani area to perform Puja and worship properly. Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Prof Dr Md Abu Zafar and Director General of the Directorate General of Medical Education Division Prof Dr Nazmul Hossain were also present, said a PID handout.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at many places in seven divisions due to deep depression over the Northwest Bay and adjoining area during the next 48 hours commencing at 3 pm on Thursday. “Under the influence of deep depression over Northwest Bay and adjoining area and active monsoon, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions,” said a said a Met office heavy rainfall warning. Due to heavy to very heavy rainfall, landslide may occur at places over hilly regions of Chattogram division, it said. Beside, temporary waterlogging may occur at places over Dhaka and Chattogram metropolitan areas.  

Three people died and two others went missing in separate incidents of boat capsize in Kaptai lake in Langadu and Naniarchar upazilas of Rangamati district. A number of boats capsized in Langadu BFDC ghat, Bhaibonchara, Langadu Launch ghat, Gulishakhali Beel areas amid inclement weather on September 30, said an ISPR press release. In Langadu upazila, a team of Bangladesh army along with local fire service men conducted a rescue operation and recovered the bodies of three people including a child early Wednesday. They also managed to rescue two people alive. In Naniarchar upazila, two people went missing when a boat carrying six people capsized during a storm at Mahajanpara on September 30. Those who went missing were identified as Denizen Chakma and Jitesh Chakma. However, four people managed to swim ashore. Divers from the Bangladesh Army are continuing the rescue efforts in coordination with the local administration and the Fire Service to locate the missing people.

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.

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.

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.