Prices of everyday food items in Khulna have surged sharply over the past week, deepening the hardship for low and middle-income people as key items become increasingly unaffordable. The cost of vegetables, fish, and other staples has climbed, with many items now beyond the reach of ordinary consumers. In local markets, coarse rice now is being sold at Tk 52 per kg, Miniket at Tk 70, Najirshail at Tk 80, boiled rice-28 at Tk 62, and Atap rice at Tk 65. Just last week, these varieties sold for Tk 50, Tk 65, Tk 75, Tk 55, and Tk 60 per kg, respectively. According to Ashraf, a wholesale rice seller at Ashraf Bhandar in Khulna’s Boro Bazar, the current price hike stems from a shortage of supply following the end of the paddy season. The recent heavy rains have submerged many paddy seedbeds, raising concerns about future production. Faruk Ahmed, another trader, acknowledged a slight increase in rice prices due to limited supply, but expressed hope that prices would decrease if the situation improves. Jakir Hossain, a rice trader from Dolkhol Islampur, reported that rice prices rose by Tk 2 to 5 per kilogram within a week, and he had to adjust his rates to match rising wholesale prices. Read: Price hikes: Seven businesses fined in market monitoring drive In the vegetable market, prices also jumped. One kg of ladies finger which was Tk 80 per kg last week, is being sold at Tk 100, while eggplant prices also surged from Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kg.  

Rail operation between Khulna and the rest of the country resumed around 10 hours after derailment of a Khulna-bound freight train near Ansarbaria station in Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga district early Wednesday . Uthli railway station master Mintu Roy said the train services resumed around 11am after the derailed oil tankers were removed from the track. He said the authorities cancelled the trips of Dhaka-bound three trains from Khulna and other districts due to schedule collapse, leaving passengers waiting at the stations in trouble. Moreover, hundreds of train passengers remained stranded for around 10 hours, the station master said. On other hand, a four member body led by Anowar Hossain, Pakshi divisional transport official of the Bangladesh Railway, was formed to probe the incident. Earlier around 1am on Wednesday, eight empty oil tankers of the freight train derailed near Ansarbaria station, snapping rail communication. The train carrying 32 empty tankers was heading to Khulna from Dhaka.

A woman died and three others were injured in a lightning strike in Paikgacha upazila of Khulna on Saturday. Paikgacha Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tushar Kanti Das confirmed the matter. The deceased was identified as Laki Khatun, 45, wife of Tofazzal of Laxmikhali village of the upazila. 14 injured in clash between two groups of Chhatra Dal in Narsingdi The injured are Santosh Sana, son of late Haripada Mandal of Orabunia village, and his wife Subhadra Sana and Fazila Khatun of the same village were admitted to the hospital. According to local UP member Hasanuzzaman, the four individuals were collecting algae in a shrimp enclosure owned by Bhutto on Saturday afternoon when a sudden thunderbolt struck, resulting in Laki Khatun's death and injuring the others. Loco master’s quick action saves woman's life in Narsingdi Santosh and Fazila were later discharged from the Upazila Health Complex; Subhadra Sana remains hospitalised for further treatment. The body will be sent to the morgue after an initial examination, said the OC.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has reported that the well-marked low over the Southwest Bay and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and is moving west-northwestwards. According to the BMD, the depression is expected to continue moving in a west-northwesterly direction. In its latest forecast, the BMD also predicted rain or thundershowers in Khulna division within 24 hours, starting from 9:00 am on Wednesday. “Rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds are likely to occur at one or two places over Khulna division. Elsewhere, the weather is expected to remain mainly dry with partly cloudy skies,” BMD said. Read: Fresh depression threatens rainfall, temperature changes in Bangladesh The highest recorded rainfall in the country over 24 hours, up until 6:00 am on Wednesday, was 14mm in Dinajpur. Day and night temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged across the country, according to the BMD. The highest temperature recorded during 24 hours, until 6:00 pm on Tuesday, was 35°C in Feni, Sitakunda, and Mongla, while the lowest temperature, 22.5°C, was recorded in Tetulia early Wednesday morning.

With a few days left for the Hindu community’s largest religious festival Durga Puja, the last minute preparations are going on in full swing with painting and decorating the idols made by artisans at mandaps in Khulna. This year, a total of 991 mandaps will host the festival in Khulna district, including 101 in the city itself. However, the local administration says that this number may increase. The formal festivities will commence on Tuesday with the Mahashashthi rituals, and will end with the immersion of idols amid processions on Saturday next. Ahead of the puja, shopping malls are bustling with devotees shopping for the celebrations. Visiting several temples in the city, it was found that making idols is already over but now the artisans are painting and decorating them. Chandra Shekhar Mandal, an artisan from Assasuni in Satkhira, said that this year there are fewer mandaps compared to previous years, which has resulted in a reduced workload for him. Read: Interim govt issues guidelines for maintaining law and order during Durga Puja "We've received orders for only four idols this year. We've started the clay work 10-15 days ago, and now we're in the painting phase," he said. According to directives from the Ministries of Home Affairs and Religious Affairs, Ansar members will be on duty at every mandap throughout the festivities. Joint forces, including the army, navy, coast guard, and police, will beef up patrols in the lead-up to and during the festival days. Close-circuit cameras will be installed at the mandaps, and strict action will be taken against the spread of rumors or misinformation on social media. Idol immersion will end by 7pm, and musical instruments will be off during the times of the Azan and prayers. A control room will remain open round the clock a day. Read more: Narayanganj artisans passing busy time making idols for Durga Puja This year, of the 991 mandaps in Khulna, 101 are set in the city, 113 in Batiaghata, 214 in Dumuria, 107 in Terokhada, 155 in Paikgasa, 84 in Dakop, 63 in Dighalia, 34 in Phultala, 74 in Rupsa, and 46 in Koyra.

The Forest Department has undertaken a major initiative to restore mangrove forests along the banks of 52 rivers and canals near the Sundarbans in Khulna. This effort, inspired by the successful mangrove reforestation at Sheikh Russel Eco Park, aims to combat the impacts of climate change by planting native Sundarbans vegetation along these waterways. In a model project at Sheikh Russel Eco Park in Batiaghata, mangrove reforestation was carried out on five acres of land along a lake, using saline water from the Rupsha River. This reforestation involved planting 4,000 mangrove saplings, setting a precedent for similar efforts in Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira districts. The project, funded by the French Development Agency and implemented by IUCN Bangladesh and the Forest Department, will focus on restoring mangrove forests along 52 rivers and canals that flow through rural areas of Shyamnagar, Mongla, Dakop, Koyra, and Morelganj, eventually entering the Sundarbans. ‘Sundarbans Honey’ being registered as Bangladesh’s GI product: Industries Ministry According to the Sundarbans West Division, this initiative is part of the ‘Upper Sundarbans Restoration Program,’ designed to enhance climate resilience in the region. The rivers and canals, once teeming with freshwater and vital to the Sundarbans’ mangrove ecosystem, have seen diminished water flow due to human activities such as deforestation, construction of embankments, and installation of sluice gates. These activities have led to the decline of mangrove forests along these waterways. French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Bangladesh in September last year highlighted the French government's commitment to supporting climate-affected countries. Following his visit, the French Development Agency, with IUCN Bangladesh’s support, launched the ‘Upper Sundarbans Restoration Program’ to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the Sundarbans and surrounding rural areas. Dr. Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, Divisional Officer of the Sundarbans West Forest Division, said that from July 6 to 8, officials from the Forest Department, French Development Agency, and IUCN Bangladesh will jointly visit the cyclone-affected settlements in the upper Sundarbans and the mangrove model at Sheikh Russel Eco Park. This visit will lead to the launch of a pilot project aimed at restoring the mangrove forests along the banks of the region’s rivers and canals. Read more: Three-month ban in Sundarbans worries local communities

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman on Saturday (May 25, 2024) said cyclonic storm 'Remal' is projected to make landfall in the coastal regions of Satkhira in Khulna and Cox’s Bazar in Chattogram by Sunday evening. Almost 4,000 shelter centres have been prepared in the coastal districts,  equipped with adequate dry food, he said while speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat. Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) may issue  great danger signal number 10 between 12 am Saturday to 1 am Sunday, said the minister. As Cyclone Remal approaches, tension grips Bagerhat’s coastal areas Currently, the maritime ports have been asked to maintain local cautionary signal no one and No 3 signal will be issued within a few hours, he said. 80,000 volunteers are ready to tackle the situation and all necessary preparations have been taken, said Mohibur Rahman. Cyclone Michaung: Tourist ship operations suspended on Teknaf-St Martin's Island route The State Minister also warned that parts of Satkhira and Cox’s Bazar could be significantly impacted by the cyclonic storm, with a potential 7-10 feet high tidal surge, heavy rainfall, and landslides in the hilly areas of Chattogram.

A severe heatwave has been impacting Khulna for several days, causing significant hardship, particularly for day labourers who must continue to work in extreme temperatures to support their families. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued a 72-hour heat alert starting Thursday, as temperatures soared. On Thursday, the Met Office recorded a temperature of 42.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga and Jashore districts, with Chuadanga hitting a record 42.7 degrees Celsius on Friday. According to the BMD, this intense heatwave is expected to persist for a few more days. In Khulna, the extreme heat has confined many to their homes. However, those who rely on daily wages, such as construction workers and rickshaw pullers, have no choice but to face the brutal temperatures to earn a living. Bangladesh Poultry Association: 1 lakh birds dying every day due to heatwave Nazrul Islam Hawladar, a 55-year-old road construction worker in the Mujgunni area of Khulna city, expressed the dire necessity of working despite the risk. "I am the sole provider for my nine-member family. Staying at home means not feeding my family," he stated. Similarly, Abdul Quader, a 55-year-old day labourer who lives in a slum with his family, shared his struggle, "After working for a while, I get exhausted, but I still have to work to manage food for my family." Bilkis Begum, another day labourer, succinctly captured the sentiment of many, saying, "What will I eat if I don't work? So I am forced to work in this heat." The elderly also suffer disproportionately. Abdul Quader, a 65-year-old rickshaw puller, remarked on the unprecedented nature of the heat. "I have never felt so hot in my life. I can't stay in the sun for a long time," he said, noting his earnings have plummeted to between Tk 200-300 per day due to the heat. Secondary schools, colleges to reopen April 28 amid heat wave Mezbah, a construction worker, echoed these hardships, "Working amid sweltering heat is not easy, but there is no alternative. If I do not work, what would I eat?" According to the BMD on Friday, a very severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Rajshahi, Chuadanga and Pabna and a severe heatwave is sweeping over the districts of Tangail, Bogura, Bagerhat, Jashore and Kushtia. Mild to moderate heatwave is sweeping over parts of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Khulna divisions and the divisions of Rangpur, Mymensingh and Barishal and the districts of Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and Bandarban and it may continue, the BMD said. Read more: How to Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Stroke

Although February 14 is celebrated as Valentine's Day, the people of the coastal areas of the Sundarbans celebrate the day as 'Sundarbans Day' with a call to come forward for protecting  the forest and mitigating the impacts of climate change on the Unesco World Heritage Site. Sundarbans,  the land of mangrove and Royal Bengal Tiger, is facing the impacts climate change which is affecting nature-dependent livelihoods, health, and nutrition of nearby communities. The day has been celebrated for two decades in the coastal southwestern region including Khulna to raise awareness among people about the need of conserving the Sundarbans. On February 14, 2001, under the Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan, Khulna University and 70 other environmental organizations of the country declared February 14 as 'Sundarbans Day' and celebrate it every year. Read more: Wood collectors losing interest in Golpata collection in Sundarbans amid falling demand Taking to UNB, Professor Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Paikgachha upazila adjacent to the Sundarbans, said, "The Sundarbans is vital for our survival. The Sundarbans is the lungs of South Asia. If we do not take proper initiatives to protect it, our country will face a great disaster. So first of all you have to love the Sundarbans. February 14 is the Sundarbans Day for us. “ Bidesh Ranjan Mridha, president of Koyra Unnayan Sangram Coordination Committee, said, "On February 14, we want to inspire the coastal people to love the Sundarbans. Many people do not understand what damages are being done to the Sundarbans. Nature in the forest is changing due to the  rise in the salinity level.” “Sundari tree, one of the most extensively found mangrove species in the Sundarbans, is disappearing fast. Goran, Gewa, Keora are growing there. The nature of water and soil of the Sundarbans has changed. If there was no Sundarbans, Koyra upazila would have been vanished by the cyclones, “ he added. Keramat Mawla, a former member of Mahisharipur union adjacent to the Sundarbans,  said, "Now fish are not found in the river next to our Sundarbans. Profit mongers are killing animals with poison to destroy the Sundarbans. The number of deer is also shrinking. Golpata collectors cut thousands of maunds of leaves with a permit of 500 maunds. We want to make local residents aware of these issues on Sundarbans Day.” Read: Jashore flower growers eye Tk 70 cr sale in the month of language, Falgun, Valentine’s Day

In the aftermath of the January 7 national election, the kitchen markets in Khulna have witnessed a substantial hike in the prices of daily essentials, severely impacting middle-class and low-income families. This sudden increase in prices is making it increasingly difficult for these groups to manage their household budgets. Recent market trends show a noticeable rise in the cost of various commodities. In particular, the prices of rice have seen a significant uptick over the past week. Seasonal factors have also led to increased vegetable prices during the winter, and essentials like broiler chicken, flour, pulses, chickpeas, ginger, and garlic are not exempt from this trend. RMG workers in Gazipur demonstrate for wages set by govt, gridlock on Dhaka-Tangail highway Local consumers express a sense of helplessness, feeling like hostages to what appears to be an uncontrollable syndicate. This situation has exacerbated their financial challenges, especially for those struggling to meet daily expenses. Traders attribute this surge in prices to a poor supply chain. However, residents speculate that certain unscrupulous traders are exploiting the post-election period to unjustifiably raise prices. A recent survey of Khulna's kitchen markets revealed the following price points: Miniket rice at Tk 68-70 per kg, BR-28 Paijam variety at Tk 65-66 per kg, and local variety rice at Tk 50-52 per kg. Vegetable prices have also surged, with beans costing Tk 80-100 per kg, cauliflowers and cabbages at Tk 50 each, and eggplant, ridge gourd, and bottle gourd ranging from Tk 80 to Tk 100. The poultry market is not immune to these increases, with broiler chicken now at Tk 220-225 per kg after a Tk 20 increase, and Pakistani chicken at Tk 320-340. Beef prices have also risen, selling at Tk 700 per kg despite authorities setting the price at Tk 650. Karwan Bazar slum fire: Firefighters recover 2 burnt bodies Amirul Islam, a local fish trader, noted that fish prices have escalated by Tk 10-50. Additionally, the cost of chickpeas has jumped from Tk 85-90 to Tk 100-110 per kg, and high-quality pulses are now at Tk 150-160 per kg. Even the price of local onions has risen, now selling at Tk 80-100 per kg, up from the previous Tk 80-90. This alarming price rise in essential commodities is placing significant strain on the residents of Khulna, with the most substantial impact felt by those in the middle and lower economic brackets.