United News of Bangladesh

In response to the ongoing floods in southeastern Bangladesh, US-Bangla Airlines has pledged its support to the flood-hit communities. The airline’s pilots, engineers, cabin crew, and all other staff have committed to donating an amount equivalent to one day's salary from their August pay to assist those affected by the floods. The airline reaffirmed its commitment to standing by the people of Bangladesh during times of natural disaster, as it has done in the past, according to a press release on Saturday. In a similar effort, officials and staff from the ministries of Information and Broadcasting and Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology have also decided to contribute one day's salary to the Chief Adviser’s Relief and Welfare Fund for the flood-affected people. Employees of offices and agencies affiliated with these ministries will participate in the donation as well. Md Nahid Islam, adviser to these two ministries, mentioned that during discussions regarding the flood situation, officials spontaneously expressed their willingness to contribute their one-day salary to the relief fund. The ministries have since formalized this initiative.

Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus held a meeting with representatives of various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on Saturday at the state guesthouse Jamuna. The meeting brought together NGOs that are actively partnering with the government to address the ongoing flood crisis. Discussions focused on coordinating efforts to provide relief and support to affected communities, ensuring that resources are effectively distributed in the flood-hit areas. Adviser Ali Imam Majumder, SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, prominent economist Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Rasheda K Chowdhury, ActionAid Bangladesh chief Farah Kabir and Brac Executive Director Asif Saleh, among others, were present.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Mainul Hasan on Saturday called on citizens to adhere to laws and regulations, acknowledging that full police services may be delayed during the ongoing crisis. "Restoring full police services may take some time due to the current situation in the country. We ask for your trust, and we will strive to deliver the best service with our professionalism," he said at a press briefing held at the DMP media center. The DMP chief also emphasized the importance of public cooperation with traffic police. "Reducing traffic congestion to a manageable level is possible with everyone's cooperation," he noted. Addressing ongoing legal actions, Commissioner Mainul mentioned that cases have already been filed against those involved in recent disturbances. "The legal process is continuous, and while it may take time to fully unfold, it is actively ongoing," he said. In response to questions about the arrest and remand of high-profile individuals, the DMP Commissioner clarified, "Those placed on remand are suspects in cases related to the recent movement. The police are investigating whether they were involved in inciting unrest through financial support, advice, or public statements." When asked about officers with a reputation for unprofessional behavior, Hasan stressed the importance of professionalism within the force. "We aim to build a disciplined police force where every officer, regardless of their background, operates with the utmost professionalism," he asserted. On the topic of corruption within the police, the DMP Commissioner assured that there would be zero tolerance for corruption, irregularities, and misconduct within the force. Addressing the use of firearms during the quota-reform protests, he pointed out that both licensed and illegal weapons were used during the unrest. He concluded by expressing gratitude to the Ansar and BGB members for their support to the police during this challenging period.  

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.

Former NBR chairman Muhammad Abdul Majid termed the period under the current interim government as a great opportunity for the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to rectify all its collection errors and issues. “Of course, this is an opportunity for the NBR, this is an opportunity for all the people of the country. The sacrifice of so much blood is not a tiny matter at all, they fought for a cause, the cause is transparency, justice, accountability and governance,” he said. Abdul Majid, who was appointed as the NBR chairman in October 22, 2007 during the then caretaker government, said that NBR knows everything regarding the matter of untapped revenue. “But it did not act properly or was not allowed to act properly. Usually during this type of interim government they can do it,” he said. He thinks that the NBR could get the opportunity to work freely whatever needed to achieve its revenue target during this interim government period. “If they (NBR) utilise the opportunity properly, then their revenue collection will shoot up,” he said. He said that in 2007-08 fiscal year while he was the NBR chairman and caretaker government was in the power, that time the revenue collection target was Tk 37,000 but NBR collected Tk 47,000 crore. And it was the first time NBR could suppress its target. “Because, NBR could act freely as per its rules and regulations,” he added. He said that NBR now  also can suppress the target if it takes it as a challenge. “Question is whether they would get the chance to do that. For this everyone of the NBR needs to be united and work hard. If NBR during the interim period wants to apply its tools as per the rules and regulations then it will be able to touch the target,” he said. Majid, whose tenure was ended as NBR chief on April 4, 2009, alleged that revenue is there in the economy, NBR was not allowed to collect. “If the revenue which are still in the economy can be collected, then the target will be fulfilled.” Responding to a question, the former revenue collecting chief said that there is no reason to suffer a set back for revenue collection for the NBR for the turmoil in the last one and a half month. He said that In this time the business might be stalled or there was less buy and sell during this time. “If there was no business or less business, the impact of this will be seen in the tax file of the next fiscal. This is not the matter of this time.” He said that the import activities was more or less stopped during last couple of months, so it would not make any impact on customs duties. “So I think that there is no reason to have a big setback for the NBR in revenue collection due to this turmoil.” Regarding the revenue collection target of Tk 480,000 crore for the running 2024-25 fiscal, he said that the target is correctly fixed in the budget. “The NBR should be given higher target.” He mentioned that the practice during the last 15 years or during the tenure of any political government had given target but did not fix the economy. As a result, NBR used to fail to achieve its target, he added. Apart of this in the last 15 years the Awami League- led government did not go for any reform activities which was supposed to take place for the sake of economy. “If the wellness and purity of the economy can be ensured during this interim government, it would be not a problem for the NBR.” He said that during the caretaker or interim government it is easy to repair the economy removing all irregularities and corruptions. In this connection he mentioned the NBR order seeking details of the bank accounts and other financial details of five business tycoons of the country by the NBR. The NBR on Thursday asked banks to provide account details of the chiefs of five business giants to scrutinise their tax compliance. The revenue authority's Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) sought the details of vice-chairman of Beximco Salman F Rahman, chairman of Nassa Group Nazrul Islam Mazumder, chairman of Summit Group Mohammed Aziz Khan, chairman of Bashundhara Group Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, and chairman of Orion Group Mohammad Obaidul Karim. The NBR sought information of deposits, savings accounts, current accounts, loan accounts, foreign currency accounts, credit cards, lockers and vaults owned by the tycoons and their family members from July 1, 2015. “It only happened as the non-partisan interim government is in the power, otherwise they could not do it like the past,” Majid said. He also said, “NBR used to listen to the sermons came from ‘Kashim Bazar Kuthir’ that resulted in shortfall of revenue collection.” He also pointed that NBR officials had to obey one business leader’s orders during the previous AL government.     

Prices of essential products including dry food and drinking water have shot up in the flood-hit districts as traders increased their prices with rise in the demand of relief materials. Millions of people in 11 districts including Feni, Lakshmipur, Comilla, Noakhali have been stranded due to flash flood. Various organizations, associations, university students, private institutions and individuals have started relief activities to help the flood victims. New areas flooded in Cumilla : 7 lakh people still trapped Demand for products such as Chira, Muri, Jaggery, Biscuits, Candles, Matches, Orsaline, Bottled water, Life jackets have increased for three days to help the flood victims. Many alleged that unscrupulous traders hiked prices of goods taking opportunity of this Expressing concern over the hike in boat fare, public transport fare, prices of candle, dry foods, drinking water and essential commodities, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Chattogram, urged traders to stand beside the flood-hit people instead of doing business by capitalising the situation. CAB came up with the call in a statement, issued on Saturday, signed by its vice-president SM Najer Hossain, general secretary Kazi Iqbal Bahar Saberi, metropolitan unit president Jesmine Sultana Paru, its general secretary Ajay Mitro, South district unit president Abdul Mannan and others. 1235 mobile towers out of order in 10 flood-hit districts: BTRC It also urged businesses to stop doing business in the crisis of the country and stand by the people rather than distributing relief under social responsibility. It also requested the business community, various business organisations, corporate houses and the affluent  people of the country to come forward from their respective positions to do business following business ethics and morality.  

Flood situation in Cumilla district deteriorated further with the flooding of fresh areas in the past 24 hours till Saturday, leaving seven lakh people stranded. The water level of Gumti River is flowing 80 cm above its danger mark during this period. The volunteers are seen struggling to distribute relief materials in the flood-hit areas due to lack of boats as roads were submerged. 1235 mobile towers out of order in 10 flood-hit districts: BTRC According to the local administration, a total of 726 shelter centres were opened in the district and some 50,000 people took shelter in those centres. A total of 340 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 15 lakh cash have been allocated for the flood-affected people in the district while a total of 225 medical teams were kept ready to provide medical treatments. Severe flooding devastates Fatikchhari

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Saturday predicted light to moderate rains across the country in 24 hours commencing 9 am. “Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions and at a few places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions,” said a Met office bulletin. Day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country. Besides, the axis of monsoon troughs runs through Punjab, Hariyana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal to Assam across central part of Bangladesh. Light to moderate rains likely across the county: BMD One of its associated troughs extends upto North Bay. Monsoon is active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over North Bay. Rain, thunderstorms, expected across 8 divisions, BMD says

Dhaka has ranked 45th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 61 at 9:14 am this morning. Today’s air was classified as 'moderate', according to the AQI index. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘moderate’ Indonesia’s Jakarta, India’s Delhi and Uganda’s Kampala occupied the first, second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 178, 163 and 162, respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka's air quality still in the 'moderate' range Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.        

— Syeda Rizwana Hasan, advisor for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, criticized India on Friday for failing to notify Bangladesh before opening the gates of the Dumboor Hydroelectric Plant in Tripura. She said that although India is supposed to provide advance notice before releasing water, this time, the protocol was not followed. She made this remark while speaking to journalists after visiting flood-affected areas along the Khowai River in Habiganj. "The government will ensure that Bangladesh, as the downstream country, is notified before India releases water from shared rivers," she said. She noted that the issue was discussed in a recent meeting between the chief advisor and the Indian high commissioner. Bangladesh plans to communicate with India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prevent future man-made disasters, she added. When asked whether the government has any plans to address the loss of navigability in international rivers due to a lack of dredging, she explained that Bangladesh's approach, as a downstream country, differs from that of upstream countries. The decision on whether to dredge rivers or manage silt through other methods requires careful consideration, she said. "We do have plans regarding this, but no emphasis was given to it in the past," she said. She emphasized the importance of protecting the Khowai River to save Habiganj town, stating that a small-scale project would be initiated to safeguard the river. If additional funds are needed in the future, they will be allocated, she added. She also stressed the need to free the old Khowai River from encroachment, describing it as "crucial." She announced that the government would launch a continuous, and planned campaign against illegal encroachers along river paths. "Although the flooding in Feni has started subsiding, the narrowing of the river path due to illegal constructions is obstructing water drainage," she said. Earlier in the day, she met with district administration officials and the Water Development Board at the Habiganj Circuit House to discuss the flood situation. Local dignitaries and coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement also attended the meeting.