Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said on Wednesday that the government is working to develop for understandable early warning system to avoid loss of lives and livelihood of people in the natural calamities. She urged all stakeholders to actively contribute towards developing an effective hydrological status and outlook system. Speaking as the chief guest at a stakeholders’ consultation workshop titled "Early Warning for All through Hydrological Status and Outlook System" held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka, said a media release signed by Dipankar Bar, Public Relations Officer of the ministry.  The adviser stressed that early warnings are a vital part of building resilience. A robust hydrological system, she noted, would allow for better forecasting of potential disasters, enabling proactive measures to protect lives, property, and natural resources. She emphasized that the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities are at constant risk due to climate hazards, making it essential to have an efficient early warning system. Read: Proposals placed at PMO to face possible future natural calamities       Rizwana also said real-time information of upper riparian countries is highly required in this regard and highlighted the need for collaboration between government agencies, scientific communities, and local stakeholders to develop an inclusive system that serves all, particularly the most vulnerable. She called for a unified approach in implementing an early warning system that is both accessible and effective at local and national levels. Md Ashraf Uddin, Secretary, Ministry of Defence presided over the workshop. Kamrul Hasan, Secretary Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; Md Nazmul Ahsan,  Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Dr Hwirin Kim, Head of Hydrology and water Resources Division, WMO also spoke as special guests. Senior officials from the Ministry, representatives from government agencies, NGOs, and international partners participated, discussing the challenges and opportunities of building a robust early warning mechanism for hydrological hazards. Read more: Bangladesh lauded for commitment, measures to fight climate change effects Earlier, the adviser inaugurated joining online the training on the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Policy on Programming and Operations held at Gazipur.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government with its limited resources is trying to improve the lifestyle of the people at the grassroots. "With our limited resources, we’re trying to reach the common people and grassroots ones for improving their lives and livelihoods. That's our aim," she said. Sheikh Hasina said this while distributing 53,340 well-built semi-pucca homes along with land ownership documents among homeless and landless families across the country in the second phase under the Ashrayan-2 project. Read:PM to distribute over 53,000 new homes to the homeless Sunday The highest 12,436 houses were given in Rangpur division, while 10,547 in Chattogram, 7,630 in Dhaka, 7,172 in Rajshahi, 7,153 in Barishal, 911 in Khulna, 2512 in Mymensingh and 1979 in Sylhet divisions. The Prime Minister virtually joined the distribution programme from her official residence Ganobhaban. Hasina said the government, since assuming power, has been trying to help the ultra-poor in every way and the result of which is now visible. "The ultra-poor are gradually learning to stand on their feet …they’re coming up…that’s what we want." She mentioned that the government’s main target is to improve the living standard of the people at the grassroots by engaging them in livelihood activities. Read:International vaccine institute to be set up in Bangladesh: Hasina The economic policy of the government is to ensure resources up to rural level in addition to ensuring their access to education and healthcare, Hasina said adding, ``That's the policy of the Awami League and that’s what the Father of the Nation taught us.” "When one gets a home, he or she is thrilled with joy and happiness, and that becomes visible on their smiling faces. I want nothing more than that," she said.

Lightning strike has turned into one of the deadliest natural disasters in Bangladesh claiming over 200 lives every year due to the loss of natural defense and lack of precautionary measures, say experts. They blame deforestation, worsening air pollution and global warming, climate variability, and the growing use of mobile and other technological devices for the increase in the frequency of lightning strikes. According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 2,164 people died in lightning strikes in the country from 2011 to 2020. At least 216 people die every year on average in lightning strikes, more than by floods, cyclones and other natural calamities. Read: Thunderstorm Lightning Struck Safety Tips: Stay Prepared The experts said about 70 percent of the total lightning strikes usually occur between April and June, and advise everyone to move with caution during this time. Farmers the worst victims Contacted, Md Rashim Molla, Secretary-General of Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum said, at least 177 people, including 122 farmers, were killed and 47 others injured, by lightning strikes across the country in between March 31 and June 7 this year as per their recent study. The casualties were higher in Sunamganj, Netrokona, Kishoreganj and Gaibandha districts over the last one and a half months.  “Most of those killed by lightning strikes were working in open fields or fishing.  About 90% of the victims were men.” He said lightning has now turned into the deadliest natural disaster in the country. “The death toll from lightning strikes is much higher than that of cyclones and tidal surges, landslides and floods.” Rashim said people in rural areas, croplands or playground and open spaces are mainly falling victims to lightning strikes for lack of protection. Causes behind Prof Ainun Nishat, a noted climate change researcher, said it seems the frequency of lightning strikes has increased in Bangladesh due to the rise in temperature caused by climate change. “But data relating to lightning strikes are not collected scientifically in our country. We should take steps for collecting solid data and carry out scientific studies in this regard.” He said the overall temperature in the world is growing gradually and so far around one degree has already increased. “The growing temperature due to climate change is causing more water evaporation from the land and ocean. It’s increasing black clouds with potential lightning storms.” Read: 3 killed by lightning strike in Magura, Madaripur, Khulna Rashim Molla said climate change, decrease in tall trees, increase in rain clouds, random set-up of mobile towers and increase in temperature across the globe can be the main factors behind the unusual rise in thunderstorms. Besides, Rashim said, a one-degree rise in temperature can cause the chances of thunderstorms to rise by 10 percent. Gawher Nayeem Wahra, Member Secretary of Disaster Forum, said the main reason behind the increase in lightning strikes is the lack of trees. “Thunderbolts attack the tallest humans in a field or open space without trees.” “People's knowledge on earthing is low. Old houses that had earthing are gone now along with trees,” he observed. Gawher said many people die on the spot after being hit by lightning strikes while many injured slowly die as there is no treatment for lightning burns. What’s the solution? Ainun Nishat said the hotspots for the lightning strikes should be identified properly through scientific studies and effective steps need to be taken to protect people there.  “People should be made aware that they shouldn’t be there in the open field when back clouds gather in the sky.” He said the government has taken a step for planting palm trees to lessen the casualties, but it takes around 20 years to raise such a tree. Read: Plant more trees for greener future: Hasina Besides, the expert said, the Disaster Management Bureau has taken a step to install poles or lightning arresters in the fields across the country. “It’s a good initiative.”

The government is going to build one relief warehouse in 500 upazilas across the country to speed up relief distribution during any natural disaster. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the government will arrange housing for those losing their homes in flood and riverbank erosion alongside rehabilitating the landless and homeless people across the country.