United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rains and thundershowers across the country in 24 hours commencing 9 am on Thursday. “Light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram & Sylhet divisions and at a few places over Rajshahi & Dhaka divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country. Temperature: Day and night temperature may fall slightly over the country,” said a BMD bulletin. Monsoon activity remains fairly active over Bangladesh and strong over the North Bay, it said. The BMD also said both day and night temperatures may fall slightly across the country due to the prevailing weather conditions. The low-pressure area over the North Odisha-West Bengal coast and adjoining areas persists and is likely to intensify further, it said. The axis of the monsoon trough extends through Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, the centre of the low-pressure area and Assam, passing across the southern part of Bangladesh, it said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed all relevant agencies and field-level administration to remain on maximum alert and work in close coordination to protect lives and property affected by widespread waterlogging caused by heavy rainfall, and ensure prompt relief distribution and healthcare services. The directive came during a virtual meeting from the Prime Minister's Office with divisional commissioners, deputy inspectors general (DIGs) of police, deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs), civil surgeons and other field-level officials from all eight divisions. During the meeting, officials briefed the Prime Minister on the latest waterlogging situation in their respective areas, including the extent of damage, the condition of shelter centres, rescue operations, relief distribution and healthcare services. Downpour triggers waterlogging across Dhaka The Prime Minister said protecting people's lives and property must remain the administration's highest priority during the ongoing emergency and stressed that there was no room for negligence. He instructed the authorities to ensure the swift distribution of relief materials, including dry food, safe drinking water, baby food, essential medicines and healthcare services to affected people. Tarique Rahman also emphasised maintaining safe conditions at shelters by ensuring adequate sanitation, uninterrupted electricity and communication facilities. He gave special instructions to ensure healthcare services and security for women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities and pregnant women. PM asks authorities to complete Dhanmondi, Gulshan lake projects on time To maintain law and order, the Prime Minister directed law enforcement agencies to remain on the highest alert to prevent any criminal activities, including theft, robbery, hoarding, misappropriation of relief goods and other offences taking advantage of the disaster situation. He also stressed transparency and accountability in relief distribution, saying priority must be given to those genuinely affected. The meeting also discussed disaster preparedness, rescue operations, coordination among different agencies, river water levels and regular monitoring of weather forecasts. Officials joining from Chattogram informed the meeting that waterlogging in the port city started to ease gradually. However, they said the situation is worsening in the Sylhet region following damage to an embankment on the Manu River, while fresh waterlogging was feared in Rangpur division. Heavy rains inundate parts of Khulna; effectiveness of Tk 823cr drainage project questioned Following the briefing, the Prime Minister instructed the authorities to take all possible precautionary measures, keep the necessary manpower and equipment ready and continue working in a coordinated manner to support affected communities.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast moderately heavy to heavy rainfall at places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka,Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions in the next 24 hours starting from 9:00am on Tuesday. “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind and lightning flashes is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions; at a few places over Rajshahi, Dhaka and Chattogram divisions and at one or two places over Khulna and Barishal divisions,” it said. The highest rainfall in the last 24 hours till 6:00am on Tuesday was recorded in Srimangal at 130mm, the bulletin said. Besides, a mild heat wave is sweeping over the districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Jashore, Chuadanga and Lakshmipur and it may continue. Day temperature may remain nearly unchanged and night temperature may rise slightly over the country.    

Vast tracts of boro paddy fields have been inundated due to heavy rainfall over the past few days in eight unions across three upazilas of Habiganj district. Alok Kumar Chand, Assistant Agriculture Officer of Baniachang Upazila, said that a total of 33,705 hectares of land in the upazila had been brought under boro paddy cultivation. Around 218 hectares of boro fields in various unions, including Sujatpur, Mandari, Muradpur, Poilar Kandi, Bhugli, Bhalluara, Rajakhai, Hijli, Bali, and Bager Agar haors, have been submerged. Detailed information on the crop losses is yet to be determined, officials said. Shahadul Islam, Agriculture Officer of Lakhai Upazila, said that six hectares of boro paddy along the bank of the Dhaleshwari River in No. 1 Lakhai Union have been submerged.

A sudden spell of rain and gusty winds has dealt a fresh blow to potato farmers in Rangpur division, who were already struggling with a sharp fall in market prices. Heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday inundated potato fields in several areas of Rangpur district, raising fears of crop damage and rot. The situation has left many farmers worried as they try to drain water from their fields to save the harvest. The damage was reported in areas including Mahiganj, Amashu Kukrul and Palichara in Rangpur Sadar upazila and Pirgachha upazila. During visits to several fields, large tracts of potato farms were seen submerged in rainwater in Tambulpur, Chaola, Annadanagar and Kandi unions in Pirgachha upazila. Farmers were trying to remove water from the fields in a desperate bid to protect the crops. “I cultivated potatoes on 10 bighas of land and the yield was quite good. But the sudden storm and rain have caused significant damage,” said Ismail Hossain, a farmer from Chaola union. “When I came to the field this morning, I saw water had accumulated everywhere. Now we are trying to drain it out,” he said. Farmers say the situation has become even more distressing as potato prices have already fallen sharply in local markets. “There is almost no price for potatoes in the market now. It is selling at only Tk 8 to Tk 10 per kg. After this rain, the price may drop by another Tk 2 per kg,” said Ismail, describing the rainfall as “a blow on top of an already dire situation.” Another farmer, Emdadul Haque Babu, said rising fertiliser prices and a shortage of storage facilities have also pushed growers into a difficult position. “We cultivated potatoes taking loans. But the market price is very low,” he said. “If we want to store potatoes in cold storage, we have to pay additional charges. Otherwise, we are forced to sell them cheaply to middlemen and syndicates. So I left some potatoes in the field hoping to sell them when prices improve. But the sudden rain may ruin everything.” Dhaka dwellers struggle with footpath occupation by hawkers during Ramadan He said many farmers in rural areas are facing similar financial risks due to the untimely rainfall. Several farmers from the Amashu Kukrul area said many growers have suffered losses in potato farming in recent years. Farmer Mohammad Arif said he invested nearly Tk 2.5 million in potato cultivation this season but now fears heavy losses. “On one hand, market prices are low and there are allegations of syndicate control. On the other hand, this rain has added to our worries. Like last year, we may again face losses,” he said. Another farmer said he had stored potatoes in cold storage last year hoping for higher prices but was unable to withdraw them due to the continuing price slump . Farmers have urged the government and the Department of Agricultural Extension to provide support to help them recover from the losses. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, potatoes were cultivated on about 225,985 hectares of land across the eight districts of Rangpur division this season, producing roughly 5.67 million tonnes. In Rangpur district alone, potatoes were cultivated on 54,050 hectares of land this year, down from 66,280 hectares last year. The division has 116 cold storage facilities with a combined capacity of about 1.1 million tonnes. However, storage limitations and falling prices have left farmers facing heavy losses. Those involved in the sector estimate that potatoes kept in cold storage alone have caused losses of around Tk 19.97 billion this season. Additional Director of the Rangpur Department of Agricultural Extension Sirajul Islam said the sudden rainfall has created a risk of widespread crop damage. “A record amount of land was brought under potato cultivation this season. But the sudden rain may cause significant damage and lead to rotting of potatoes,” he said, adding that farmers are being advised to remove water from their fields as quickly as possible. Acting officer of the Rangpur Meteorological Office Md Mostafizur Rahman said 44 millimetres of rainfall was recorded between 4:00am and 9:00am on Friday. Similar intermittent rainfall may continue over the next four to five days, he added. Anwar Hossain Bablu, convener of the Rangpur district unit of the Bangladesh Khetmajur and Krishak Organisation, said potato prices in some places have fallen to as low as Tk 3 to Tk 4 per kg. “Potato is one of our major vegetables and a key cash crop with strong global demand. Yet farmers are not getting fair prices in the domestic market,” he said. He called on the government to ensure profitable prices for potatoes, curb corruption and black market practices, and guarantee fertiliser availability at subsidised rates for marginal farmers.

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency on Saturday (November 29) and appealed for international assistance as the death toll from heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 132, with a further 176 people reported missing. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency laws, granting him wide powers to respond to the devastation following a week of torrential rain across the island. “We have 132 confirmed dead and another 176 missing,” DMC Director-General Sampath Kotuwegoda said, adding that relief efforts had been strengthened with the deployment of the army, navy and air force. Nearly 78,000 people have been displaced and are in temporary shelters, the South Asian country's disaster management center said. Read more: Over 20 killed, 14 missing as intense rainfall sparks landslides and flooding in Sri Lanka The death toll is expected to rise. Social media posts on Saturday showed several areas affected by overnight mudslides that authorities have yet to reach. Sri Lanka has been battered by severe weather since last week. Conditions worsened Thursday, with heavy downpours that flooded homes, fields and roads and triggered landslides mainly in the tea-growing central hill country. The government closed schools and offices and postponed examinations. Most reservoirs and rivers have overflowed, blocking roads. Authorities stopped passenger trains and closed roads in many parts of the country after rocks, mud and trees fell on roads and railway tracks. By Friday, water flowing downstream from severely affected areas began to inundate areas around the capital, Colombo, which experienced comparatively less rainfall. Authorities say that Ditwah, which developed in the seas east of Sri Lanka, is likely to move toward India's southern coast by Sunday. Read more: Sri Lanka shuts schools, offices as floods and landslides kill 56 Neighboring India dispatched two search and rescue teams, comprising 80 rescuers, and sent aid to support ongoing operations, the country's embassy in Colombo said Saturday. With inputs from agencies.

Sri Lanka closed government offices and schools Friday (November 28) as the death toll from widespread floods and landslides climbed to 56, with over 600 homes reported damaged, officials said. The country has been facing severe weather since last week, which intensified Thursday (November 27) with heavy rainfall that submerged homes, farmland, and roads, and triggered landslides nationwide. At least 25 people were killed Thursday in landslides in the central mountainous tea-growing districts of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, roughly 300 kilometers east of the capital Colombo. In these areas, another 21 people are missing and 14 were injured, according to the government’s disaster management center. Additional fatalities occurred in landslides elsewhere in the country. As conditions worsened, the government ordered all schools and government offices to remain closed Friday. Read more: Over 20 killed, 14 missing as intense rainfall sparks landslides and flooding in Sri Lanka Overflowing rivers and reservoirs have blocked many roads, forcing authorities to suspend passenger train services and close roadways in several regions. Landslides and floodwaters, along with fallen rocks, mud, and trees, disrupted both roads and railway lines. Local television footage showed an air force helicopter rescuing three people stranded on a flooded rooftop Thursday, while the navy and police used boats to evacuate residents. Another video showed a car swept away by floodwaters near the eastern town of Ampara, killing three passengers.

More than 20 people have died and 14 others are missing after days of heavy rain triggered landslides and flooding across Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan authorities have suspended passenger train services and shut down several roads as severe rainfall continues to unleash deadly landslides and floods, officials reported Thursday (November 27). According to the government’s disaster management center, 18 of the confirmed deaths were in the central highland districts of Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, well-known tea plantation areas located about 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Colombo. Read more: Over 220 dead as floods and landslides devastate Northwest Pakistan The center also stated that 14 people remained unaccounted for Thursday following landslides in the same region. Since last week—when the country first began experiencing the intense weather—the overall death toll has climbed to 31. Torrential rains over the weekend inundated roads, farmland, and homes, causing widespread disruption. Train services in some mountainous areas were halted after landslides sent rocks, mud, and fallen trees onto rail lines. Local television footage showed crews working to clear the debris. Several roads were also closed because of deep flooding. Roughly 4,000 families have been affected by the severe weather, officials said. Read more: Tidal waters inundate low-lying areas as embankment collapses in Khulna

Rivers in Bangladesh’s coastal and eastern districts continue to swell as heavy rainfall, triggered by a low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, lashes Chattogram, Khulna, and Barishal divisions. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) of the Bangladesh Water Development Board’ on Wednesday said the heavy downpour is likely to continue over the next 24 hours from 6 pm with forecasts of moderate to moderately heavy rain in the following two days. Over 35 Feni villages flooded as dams collapse at 17 points The persistent rainfall, triggered by a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, disrupted daily life in Dhaka and other parts of the country. According to the Met Office, Dhaka recorded 80 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours till 6pm today, while the highest rainfall during this period was 271 millimetres in another location. In Feni district, water levels in the Muhuri and Selonia rivers have crossed the danger level and the situation is expected to remain stable in the next 24 hours with a possibility of gradual improvement as water levels begin to recede, it said. However, heavy rainfall is likely in the basin over the next 24 hours followed by moderate to moderately heavy rainfall over the subsequent two days. In Chattogram district, the Halda River may rise above the danger level within the next 24 hours, which could trigger floods in low-lying areas along its banks. Water levels in the Feni, Sangu, and Gomti rivers are rising while the Matamuhuri River is currently receding, it said.. Forecasts indicate that the Gomti River may continue to rise in the next 24 hours while water levels in the Sangu and Matamuhuri may fall. All these rivers are likely to show a declining trend over the following two days. In Sylhet division, water levels in the Manu, Dhalai, and Khowai rivers continue to rise. The rising trend is expected to persist over the next 24 hours. The Ganges and Padma rivers are also witnessing rising trends and are expected to continue rising over the next five days, though they will likely stay below danger levels during this period. In Chattogram, a three-year-old child died after falling into an open drain amid waterlogging caused by continuous rainfall in Halishahar area on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Mosammat Humaiyra. Incessant rain floods Khulna city, adjacent areas Kamrul Islam, in-charge of Agrabad Fire Station, said, “On information, our team retrieved the child after about an hour of effort. She died on the way to a hospital,” he said. In Feni, More than 35 villages in Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas have been submerged following the collapse of flood control embankments at 17 points along the Muhuri, Kuhua and Silonia rivers.  The damage, caused by incessant heavy rain and surging upstream water from India, has also disrupted power supply in several areas of the district, leaving thousands of residents in the dark. The floodwaters, however, have reportedly started to recede in Feni town, many low-lying areas remain inundated, disrupting daily life.  The Muhuri and Selonia rivers in Feni district are still flowing above danger levels. Fulgazi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fariha Islam said, “Flood control dams have broken in at least seven places in the upazila. As a result, 14 villages have gone underwater.” More than 150 people took shelter in shelters, dry food and cooked food were arranged for them, she said. Meanwhile, continuous heavy rainfall over the past three days submerged the Feni-Parshuram road, severing direct road communication with Fulgazi and Parshuram upazilas. Besides, continuous rainfall for the past few days has left parts of Khulna city, its suburbs and adjacent upazilas near the Sundarbans submerged. Several areas, including Royal Mor, Tutpara, Mistripara, Ahsan Ahmed Road, Boyra, Mujgunni, Sonadanga, and Fulbarigate went under water in the city. Rains entered the houses of the low-lying areas of the city, causing suffering of residents. Fish enclosures, ponds, and croplands were flooded and residents were facing an acute shortage of drinking water. Flood and waterlogging triggered by rains were also reported from Bagerhat, Barguna, Bhola and Madaripur districts.

At least eighteen people died and nearly 51 lakh people were affected as floods wreaked more havoc in vast areas of 11 districts. Of the total deaths, four died in Cumilla, one in Feni, five in Chattogram, three in Noakhali, one each in Brahmanbaria and Laxmipur and three in Cox’s Bazar districts, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said in a statement updated at 7pm on Saturday. So far, some 50,93,539 people have been affected and a total of 3,513 shelter centers have been opened where 3,01,993 people and 21,695 cattle took shelter. Meanwhile, a sum of Tk 3.52 crore has been allocated in the 11 flood-hit districts while 20,150 tonnes of rice, 15,000 packets/sacks of dry foods and baby foods and fodder worth Tk 70 lakh were allocated. A total of 769 medical teams have been kept prepared to provide medical treatment in the flood affected areas and the army personnel and district civil surgeons are providing medical services. Besides, adequate relief materials have been stocked in all districts of the country, said the ministry adding that the deputy commissioners of the flood-affected districts have been instructed to work together in coordination with the coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, army, navy, medical team and other volunteers. A control room has been opened in the ministry to monitor the flood situation and a hotline number 02-55101115 was opened to provide immediate services. Advisor and Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief visited the flood affected areas to monitor the flood situation and the adviser is curently staying at Feni. Those interested in providing assistance to the victims of the recent severe floods can send the assistance to the Chief Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund at the following account name and number. Account Name: 'Principal Adviser's Relief and Welfare Fund', Bank: Sonali Bank Corporate Branch, Chief Adviser's Office, Account No: 0107333004093. Earlier, Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Md Kamrul Hasan said there is no possibility of heavy rainfall in the northeastern part of the country and adjoining upstream in the next 24 hours. The flood situation in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts adjacent to the Manu, Khowai and Dholai rivers is likely to improve during this period, he added. Besides, there is no possibility of heavy rainfall in the southeastern part of the country and adjoining upstream in the next 24 hours.  Flood situation is expected to improve in the adjoining areas of Muhuri, Feni, Gumti and Halda rivers in Feni, Cumilla and Chattogram districts of the region.