The July Shaheed Smriti Foundation has provided financial assistance of Tk 2.9 crore among 58 families of martyrs from the anti-discrimination student movement in Khulna division; each family received a cheque for Tk 5 lakh. The event was held at the Khulna Shilpakala Academy on Friday. Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdho, CEO of July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, delivered the welcome speech and July Shaheed Smriti Foundation General Secretary Sarjis Alam participated in distribution of cheques.  Speaking at the event, Sarjis Alam criticized the interim government saying, “One of the failures of the current interim government is that the murderers of the students and public have not yet been brought to justice.” Other speakers emphasized the enduring impact of the student movement, which played a pivotal role in shaping a fairer Bangladesh. They warned against attempts to distort the uprising’s history and called for transparency and accountability in all sectors to eradicate inequality.   Bangladesh named The Economist’s country of the year The ceremony was attended by family members of the martyrs and injured, officials from government departments, foundation members and media representatives. Divisional Commissioner Md Firoz Sarkar, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Zulfikar Ali Haider, Additional Range DIG Md Hasanuzzaman, Deputy Commissioner Md Saiful Islam, Superintendent of Police T M Mosharraf Hossain, Central Coordinator of July Shaheed Smriti Foundation Md. Tariqul Islam, Ashrafa Khatun and Md Wahiduzzaman also spoke at the event.

WaterAid Bangladesh on Thursday organised a national-level workshop titled 'Addressing resilience losses of climate-induced migrants in Southwest Bangladesh affected by COVID-19 pandemic', for sharing the learnings from a project to ensure its replication at governmental and other levels. The workshop was part of the project which aims to address the socio-economic vulnerability and exclusion of the climate-induced migrants, which has been further compounded by COVID-19, living in urban slums in Khulna and Satkhira. It was held at Lakeshore Heights, Dhaka. The event united leading voices in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and climate change sector to showcase the overall project, including its interventions, learnings and prospects for replication. This involves providing a comprehensive overview of what the project aimed to achieve, the key deliverables that were produced, the results and how the work can be carried forward. The learning-sharing workshop created a unique platform to connect relevant stakeholders catering to climate-induced migrants, allowing them to share their experiences, insights, and challenges. Old, polluting buses in Dhaka to be scrapped to combat air pollution: Rizwana It aimed to highlight the project’s contributions in addressing the plights of climate migrants clustered on the urban fringe, highly exposed and vulnerable to floods and waterlogged soil. As the project nears its end, ICDDR,B has conducted an endline evaluation to portray empirical evidence and learning from the field. Programme Lead-Universal Access Babul Bala’s presentation on the project’s rationale, visual representation of interventions, challenges and learnings,after  ICDDR,B shared graphical representations, statistics, comparison with baseline evaluation and recommendations that they have accumulated from the field. WaterAid Bangladesh adopts a bottom-up approach to zoom in on the real-life accounts of beneficiaries and engaging relevant authority to help foster institutional ownership in order to implement this project. Two beneficiaries- Rupali Begum (Shastho Surokkha Station and Grant Support recipient) and Jannatul Ferdous Irani (IGA Training and Material support) shared their back stories, current living standards and how they experience financial freedom and empowerment while Salim Sarower, Assistant Engineer-Satkhira Municipality, emphasized on misuse of water in daily activities. Parvez Mollah, Assistant Director-Department of Youth Development, expressed his willingness to support the youth in rural areas to deter migration to urban areas. Timely information more vital than food during disasters: Experts The chief guest of the workshop, Professor Emeritus Dr Ainun Nishat, Member, Advisory Committee of Climate Bridge Fund (ACCF), emphasised forgoing callousness of COVID-19 vaccination dosage, installation of Pond Sand Filters (PSF) and the importance of Rainwater Harvesting in high salinity regions. He stated, "Just like the heatwave we experienced this year, there can also be cold waves that we could anticipate. This is climate change, and its unpredictability, due to the lack of patterns, makes it even more challenging. To support people's livelihoods, we must focus on addressing these uncertainties.” Special guest Dr Md Golam Rabbani, Head of Secretariat, CBF, BRAC, appreciated the triangulation modality of the workshop and described it as “first-hand example of a multi-sectoral approach”. Country Director of WaterAid Bangladesh Hasin Jahan warranted the need to weigh in on their failures and stated, "We often avoid failures, but it is important to reflect on our work and identify them, so we have something to improve on in the future. My key takeaway from this project is how we can scale up our learning in behaviour change more effectively. While resources are limited, we must allocate them wisely to ensure we prioritise WASH as an integral part of climate funds.” The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks from Nabolok Parishad’s Executive Director, Kazi Rajeeb Iqbal.

Fire swept through three clothing stores in Khulna’s Khalishpur area on Tuesday night. The incident occurred around 1:00 am opposite the Power House intersection on the Khulna BIDC Road, according to officials on Wednesday. Monirul Islam, the owner of the Jyoti Fashion, one of the affected stores, said he closed the shop at 10 pm and went home. At around 2 am, he came to know through the mobile phone of the security guard that there was a fire in his shop. Fire breaks out at spinning mill in Narayanganj Later, he rushed to the spot and saw locals trying to douse the fire. At that time, they informed the fire service by calling 999. Three fire service units arrived and brought the fire under control within half an hour. Khalishpur Fire Service Senior Station Officer Abdul Malek said the damage caused by the fire was Tk 15-16 lakh. The fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, he added.    

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.