Manikganj is witnessing a sharp rise in diarrhea cases, with children being the most affected. The 250-bed district hospital's diarrhea unit, which has a capacity of 20 beds, is struggling to accommodate patients. Many patients are being treated on the floor due to overcrowding, putting additional pressure on nurses and doctors. According to hospital authorities, the number of diarrhea patients began increasing in October. The unit treated 359 patients in October and 355 in November. The trend continued into December, with over 600 patients admitted from the start of the month until December 23. Dengue: One more death reported in 24hrs Alpana Akter, in charge of the diarrhea ward, said that around 20 patients are arriving daily, most of whom are children. Each child is often accompanied by two or three family members, exacerbating the space shortage. Some patients, unable to secure space, have opted for private clinics or hospitals. Shiuli Begum, the mother of 4-year-old Akib, who is currently admitted, said that her child had been experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. Despite some improvement after two days of treatment, symptoms persist. She also raised concerns about the ward's unhygienic conditions, which may pose additional health risks to patients and caregivers. Furthermore, many essential medicines are unavailable, forcing families to purchase them from outside. Dengue prevention neglected in underprivileged areas: Speakers Dr. ABM Touhiduzzaman, residential medical officer (RMO) of the hospital, confirmed that the diarrhea unit has only 20 beds but is accommodating 30 to 40 patients daily. He acknowledged that overcrowding has led to deteriorating sanitary conditions. However, the nurses and doctors on duty at the diarrhoea unit said they were providing medical services to the best of their ability. They are struggling to get treatment due to the pressure of additional patients. There are enough food saline, paracetamol medicines for diarrhea patients, but due to lack of supply of Ciprocin medicines, including cholera saline, patients have to buy them from outside. Pediatric specialist Dr. Nilufar Yasmin highlighted that cold-related illnesses are contributing to the influx of child patients. She attributed the increase in diarrhea cases primarily to rotavirus infections, which are more common in winter. To prevent further cases, she advised maintaining hygiene, keeping children warm, and avoiding cold foods. Hospital Superintendent Dr. Baha Uddin said that additional measures are being taken to manage the patient overflow, including plans to transfer diarrhea patients to other wards. However, the current situation remains critical due to space constraints and medicine shortages.

Manikganj's Shibalaya upazila is witnessing rampant illegal sand extraction using dredgers on the Alokdia Char of the Jamuna River, severely affecting homes, farmland, and public infrastructure. Four dredgers and two shallow machines are reportedly extracting sand, causing extensive riverbank erosion that has already displaced several families. Villagers claim the erosion has engulfed farmland, homes, and even a mosque, with two primary schools and the Mujib Fort, a government structure built at a cost of Tk 3 crore, at risk. Residents have filed written complaints to the district administration and the Ministry of Shipping, demanding an immediate halt to the illegal activities. During a visit to the area, six sand-extraction machines and multiple bulkheads were found operating about three kilometers away from the government-leased sand field in South Teota. These machines extract sand near the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh's (PGCB) electricity poles, endangering critical infrastructure and exacerbating river erosion. Bean cultivation transforms farmers' fortunes as it gains momentum in Lalmonirhat

Ferry services on Aricha-Kazirhat and Paturia-Daulatdia routes in Manikganj resumed on Thursday morning after seven and ten hours of suspension respectively due to dense fog.   Nasir Chowdhury, deputy general manager of Aricha Sector of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation, said the ferry services resumed around 10:30am. BIWTC authorities said, ferry services on the Paturia-Daulatdia route in the Padma River remained suspended from 3am and the Aricha-Kazirhat route from 12:00am. Chuadanga, Gopalganj shivering in cold wave

Amid the skyrocketing prices of daily essentials, including vegetables, in kitchen markets across the country, growers in Manikganj district are worried about counting huge losses due to low production of chili caused by extreme drought. The chilies of Harirampur and Shibalaya upazilas in the district are known for chili production. In previous years, these regions not only met local demand but also exported to other districts and even overseas. But this year, most chili farmers in the district are experiencing poor yields, with plants wilting and leaves curling up. No new flowers or fruits have been seen on the plants, leaving farmers disappointed. According to the local Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), a total of 3,717 hectares of land have been brought under green chili cultivation this season, which is 176 hectares more than the previous year. DAE sources blamed excessive heat and a lack of timely rainfall for the poor yield. Samsuddin, a farmer in Harirampur upazila, said, “I planted chilies on two bighas of land, and initially, the yield was good, but due to oversupply, the price was low, around Tk 40 per kg. However, as the drought appeared and the crop field started to suffer damage, the price surged to Tk 150-160 per kg.” He also said that he managed to sell chilies worth Tk one lakh and made a profit of around Tk 20,000. Sherpur flood causes Tk 600 crore losses in agriculture, fisheries Nur Hossain, a chili grower, said he cultivated green chilies on 4.5 bighas of land after borrowing Tk 30,000. He is now frustrated over the poor yield and the damage to his chili fields due to drought. Like him, many farmers in these areas are also affected and are now worried about how to recoup their losses caused by the damage. Abdur Rahman, another chili farmer from Basta village, said despite several phases of irrigation, the extreme heat continued to damage the crops, and even the surviving plants are not producing chilies. He has yet to harvest even a single maund from his fields. Afsar Uddin, of Borongail village in Shibalaya upazila, said that despite spending Tk 40,000 on seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation, he is harvesting less than two kilograms of chilies per day, instead of the expected two maunds. Farmers said the shortage of chilies has driven prices up dramatically. In various wholesale markets, the price of green chilies now ranges from Tk 350 to Tk 380 per kg. Local wholesalers report that the production decline has created a severe supply crunch, with most chilies now being sourced from other districts like Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Meherpur, and Chuadanga. Additionally, imported Indian chilies are being brought in through Letters of Credit (LCs) to meet the demand. Magura residents in distress as prices of daily essentials skyrocket Wholesale traders at the Jagirbandar Dhaleshwari wholesale market said that due to the shortage of the local variety of green chilies, the price of chilies has become dearer. Abdus Sattar, a wholesale trader, said, “Wholesalers from Dhaka and other markets depend on the chilies we supply. If imports from India stop for even a day, prices double. Moreover, half of the imported chilies arrive rotten, which further drives up the price.” Currently, retail prices of green chilies have surged to Tk 500-520 per kg due to the high wholesale costs. Dr. Rabiah Noor Ahmed, deputy director of the local DAE, said, "The continuous heatwave has significantly impacted chili farmers in Manikganj. They failed to get their desired production due to the lack of rain in time. However, the situation could improve if the weather becomes favorable. We've also sought advice from the Spice Research Center in Bogura to address the leaf curl disease."

Two people from Manikganj, who were infected with Nipah virus after consuming raw date juice, died in Dhaka while undergoing treatment.  The deceased were Babul Miah, 38, son of former union parishad member Mainuddin, and Lutfor Rahman, 27, son of Nazimuddin, hailing from Putail union of Manikganj’s Sadar upazila.  District Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Moazzem Ali Khan Chowdhury confirmed that Babul died after being infected with Nipah virus while Putail Union Parishad Chairman Jasim Uddin confirmed Lutfor’s death.       Read: COVID-19: Bangladesh reports 28 more cases in 24hrs  It was learnt from the civil surgeon's office that Babul was admitted to Manikganj 250-bed General Hospital with fever and headache on January 16. A day later, a team from Dhaka’s International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) came and did his medical checkup. On January 18, he was shifted to a private hospital in Dhaka when his condition worsened and subsequently it was detected that he was infected with Nipah virus.  Babul breathed his last while undergoing treatment in the private hospital last Saturday, the civil surgeon’s office said.  Local UP Chairman Jasim said Lutfor had been suffering from fever, headache and other complications after drinking raw date juice.  Though initially he took medicine from a local pharmacy, later he was hospitalized in Dhaka when his condition deteriorated, he said, adding that Lutfor died while undergoing treatment there on January 16.  Civil Surgeon Dr Moazzem said they had information on Babul’s death from the Nipah virus but are not aware of Lufor’s cause of death. Read: Dengue: Bangladesh reports zero death with 20 new cases in 24 hrs  According to icddr,b, consumption of raw date juice, contaminated with bat saliva or urine, causes Nipah virus.

The construction work of a 6 kilometre long permanent embankment supported by GO bags on the left side of the erosion-prone Jamuna River to protect residents of two upazilas in Tangail and Manikganj was inaugurated on  Saturday. Thousands of people living in Salimabad, Balarampur and Nischintapur areas under Nagarpur upazila of Tangail district and Charkatari areas under Daulatpur upazila in Manikganj will get relief of the river erosion if the construction work of the dam is fully completed. International  Oceanography Conference underway in Cox's Bazar, ends today State minister for commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu inaugurated the construction work, under 'Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program (Project-02)' of the Ministry of Water Resources, at Nishchintapur Bazar end of the river. Warning of strict action against those who will commit irregularities in building the embankment, Titu thanked the authorities concerned for chalking up the initiative to save thousands of lives and properties from the erosion. He said the construction work of the dam started through dumping GO bags in the river while CC blocks will be developed later. Prepare action plan to bring fallow land under cultivation: Agri Minister Lands of many people may be needed for building the permanent dam beside the river. Those whose land will be used by the government will be compensated by listing them through the UNO, he said, requesting all not to obstruct the work. Titu said that he has a plan of building a ring road from Bangabandhu Bridge to Aricha Ghat. Earlier while talking to reporters, the newly appointed state minister said they in coordination with the concerned ministries and departments including the Commerce Ministry have been working to tame high prices of commodities following the directive from the premier. Blaming the Ukraine-Russia and Israel and Palestine wars post the Covid-19 pandemic responsible for the price hike, he said his government has sincerely been working to keep the prices of essentials at tolerable levels for the needy people. 513 students commit suicide across Bangladesh in 2023:Aachol Foundation He called upon the business people to keep prices of commodities under control ahead of the holy Ramadan by making less profit.

The National Committee to Protect Shipping, Roads and Railways (NCPSRR) has demanded a proper investigation over a ferry capsize near Paturia  ghat in Manikganj district early Wednesday. President of the organisation Md. Shahid Mia and General Secretary Ashis Kumar Dey issued a statement in this regard on Friday. 2 of a family among three dead in Manikganj road crash The civic organisation also called for finding out whether there was any fault during the making of the sunken ferry ‘Rajanigandha’ without blaming an unidentified bulkhead. According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), the ferry was sunk after being hit by a bulkhead which could not be detected. Nomination papers of all Jatiya Party candidates in Manikganj cancelled Terming BIWTC’s statement as unacceptable, the statement said that for the sake of an impartial inquiry, it is necessary to verify the data related to the ferry's construction defects and the latest fitness survey. The ill-fated ferry was built in 2014 in a private dockyard, the statement said, noting that the National Committee has been closely monitoring the entire issue including rescue operations since the accident. Sexagenarian killed in Manikganj road accident "It is unbelievable that the hull of such a large vessel would be cracked open after hit by a bulkhead (small vessel carrying sand) and sink into the river in such a short time". The leaders of the National Committee urged all authorities concerned to immediately rescue the sunken vehicles including the ferry and ensure maritime safety.

Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Bangladesh's state minister for shipping, on Wednesday (January 17, 2024) said the ferry, Rajanigandha, capsized in the Padma River near Paturia ferry terminal in Manikganj after being hit by a bulkhead.“Primarily, it is known that the ferry was anchored near the ghat and a bulkhead hit the ferry,” he said while talking to reporters at the secretariat. The actual reason could be known after getting probe report, he said. Ferry driver missing after it capsizes with vehicles in Padma River“Rajanigandha ferry is a utility ferry and there were a small number of vehicles on it. When vehicles started to board it ,the authorities usually maintain balance and whether the authorities followed it properly at that time it will be known later,” said the minister.The ferry authorities said they anchored the ferry due to dense fog and when they started their journey around 1:30 am from Daulatpur ghat the sky was clear but when they reached near Paturia they experienced poor visibility due to dense fog, he said.A secretary-level officer is on the spot and he will take necessary steps, said Khalid.Mentioning that Bulkhead is needed for transporting goods, the minister said, “The ministry is looking how to modernize those and register those and the Department of Shipping (DoS) is working on it.” Daulatdia-Paturia ferry services resume after 7 hoursA man identified as Humayun Kabir, 39, second master of the ferry, went missing as the ferry on the Daulatdia-Paturia route with nine trucks capsized near No 5 ghat in Paturia of Manikganj district earlier today.

In a harrowing incident early this morning, a ferry operating on the Daulatdia-Paturia route tragically capsized near No 5 ghat in the Manikganj district of Bangladesh. The mishap, involving the ferry ‘Rajanigandha’ with nine trucks onboard, led to the disappearance of one individual, identified as Humayun Kabir, the 39-year-old second driver of the vessel. Read: Weather Update: Will it rain in Dhaka?  Anwarul Islam, warehouse inspector of Fire Service and Civil Defence, reported that the ferry sank around 8:16 am. Following the incident, local fire service divers were promptly dispatched to the site and succeeded in rescuing six individuals from the perilous waters. The exact cause of the ferry’s capsizing remains unclear at this early stage of the investigation. Read: Dhaka Elevated Expressway to be completed in 2024, says Obaidul Quader  In a display of coordinated effort, the Bangladesh Navy has also joined the ongoing rescue operations, as confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The search continues for the missing ferry driver, Humayun Kabir, with rescue teams working tirelessly against the clock in the hope of a safe recovery. 

Popular singer and Awami League candidate from Manikganj-2 Momtaz Begum has failed to secure her place in the 12th parliamentary elections. She was defeated by independent candidate Dewan Zahid Ahemd Tulu in the elections held on Sunday. Giants who lost 12th national election race Tulu who is vied with the electoral symbol 'truck', bagged 84,525 votes in 193 polling stations, according to unofficial results announced by returning officers on Sunday night. Momtaz got 78,269 votes competing with her electoral symbol 'boat'. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury wins Rangpur-6 The voting in the 12th parliamentary election began at 8:00 am and concluded at 4pm without any break amid tight security in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies. Foreign Minister Momen wins Sylhet-1 constituency