Others
Bangladesh extends lockdown until May 23
The government has again extended the ongoing lockdown for another week until May 23 with two new directives alongside the existing ones to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The Cabinet Division issued a circular in this regard on Sunday.
On May 5, the government extended the countrywide lockdown until May 16.
Read:Covid-19: Ongoing lockdown to be extended until May 23
The circular said all the offices and agencies relating to revenue collection will be considered as emergency service providers.
Besides, restaurants and eateries will remain open with only takeaway/online services.
As coronavirus cases kept growing at an alarming rate since mid-March, the government had imposed a ‘loose’ nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain its spread.
Later, a ‘stricter’ lockdown was announced from April 14 to 21. On April 28, the government again extended the lockdown until May 5 and issued six fresh directives as the country is struggling to contain the Covid-19 transmission.
On April 23, the Cabinet Division issued a notice allowing shops and shopping malls to operate from April 25 (10am-5pm) on a condition that they would maintain proper safety protocols.
Read:Return to Dhaka after lockdown ends: Mayor Taposh
Covid situation in Bangladesh
Covid-19 claimed 22 more lives in Bangladesh in 24 hours until Saturday morning, which was the lowest daily deaths in the country in nearly two months.
Bangladesh saw 26 Covid deaths on Friday and 31 on Thursday.
With the deaths logged on Friday, the official Covid-related death count in the country reached 12,124.
However, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.55%, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read:Covid-19: 22 more lives lost, lowest daily deaths in 7 weeks
Bangladesh witnessed a sharp drop in the number of new cases as the tests have declined dramatically.
Only 261 infections were logged in the 24-hour period after examining 3,758 samples.
The country also confirmed 779,796 Covid-19 cases in total, said a DGHS handout.
Solar power plant in Manikganj starts commercial operation
A 35MW solar power plant in Manikganj has gone into commercial operation supplying electricity to the national grid.
“The plant has been supplying electricity to the national grid since it started its commercial operation in March this year,” said Imran Chowdhury, country head of the Sungrow Power Supply Company Ltd, which worked for the project as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor.
Spectra Solar Park Ltd, (SSPL), a joint venture of Bangladeshi Spectra Group and Chinese Shunfeng Investments Limited (SIL), developed the project at Shibalaya Upazila in Manikganj with $15 million financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Read: Solar Home System: IDCOL partners seek govt intervention in loan write-off issue
The state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will purchase electricity from this independent power producer (IPP) project at a rate of TK 11.12/kWh ($0.13) under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
Official sources said SSPL is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) owned by Bangladesh-based Spectra Engineers Limited (SEL) and the Hong Kong, China-based Shunfeng Investments Limited (SIL).
The SSPL is the borrower for the loan and will build, own, and operate the project. SEL owns 80 percent of SSPL and SIL owns the remaining 20 percent.
Read Consider downward revision of power generation plan: CPD to govt
According to the sources, the Consortium of Spectra Engineers Limited & Shunfeng Investment Limited owned the 35 MW (AC) grid-connected solar park through an unsolicited offer under the Fast Power and Energy Supply (special) Act.
They said this has been the 4th IPP project that came into operation although more than 20 such projects were awarded to private sponsors.
Read:Sreda, BGMEA sign deal for rooftop solar power promotion in RMG sector
Earlier, 4 IPP projects -- 50 MW (AC) Solar Park Gauripur, Mymensingh by HETAT-DITROLIC-IFDC Solar Consortium, 8 MW Solar Park in Panchagarh by Parasol Energy Ltd., 20MW (AC) Solar Park Teknaf Upazila, Cox's Bazar by Joules Power Limited (JPL) and 3 MW Grid-connected PV Power Plant at Sharishabari in Jamalpur by Engreen Sharishabari Solar Plant Ltd, owned by IFE-CPC-JEL Consortium -- went into operation.
Imran Chowdhury said the Chinese mother company has launched Sungrow Renewable Energy Bangladesh Limited (SREBL) as a new company to work as IPP project developer beyond its current job of EPC contractor to make a significant contribution to National Solar Energy Roadmap Up To 2041.
He said Sungrow now offers different technologies and solutions -- solar-plus energy storage solution (ESS), power plant by lithium-ion battery, floating solar power plant, solar fishery power plant, ground-mounted solar power plant -- for the Bangladesh market.
Reead Nasrul urges RMG owners: Go solar for low cost, tax break
The study, titled 'National Solar Energy Action Plan 2021-2041', was conducted by the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Meanwhile, the country’s Power System Master PLan (PSMP) has set a target to reach the renewable energy’s share to 10 percent of total power generation capacity (2470 MW) by 2021 -- a major focus was supposed to be on exploiting the potential of solar energy to achieve the goal.
But available data shows the country now has the generation capacity of 20,595 MW from conventional sources while power from renewable sources is lagging far behind at 700.61 MW, which is around 3 percent of the total generation capacity.
Read: Nasrul urges RMG owners: Go solar for low cost, tax break
The Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) show that among different renewable energy sources, PV solar leads the sector with 466.68 MW generation capacity, while it is followed by hydro with 230 MW capacity, 2.9 MW from wind, 0.63 MW from Bio-gas and 0.4 MW from Biomass.
Energy experts say that Bangladesh is far behind Pakistan and India, among its South Asian neighbors, in utilising renewable energy resources for electricity generation.
The PSMP stipulates for 35 percent power generation from imported LNG (liquefied natural gas), some 35 percent from imported coal, 15 percent from renewable energy, 10 percent from nuclear energy and five percent from petroleum oil by 2041, when the country’s generation will reach 60,000 MW, the officials added.
Read Sreda, BGMEA sign deal for rooftop solar power promotion in RMG sector
Now mad rush to return to Dhaka; river terminals overcrowded again
As Eid holidays are over, now thousands of holidaymakers from south-western districts overcrowded the ferry terminals in a bid to return to Dhaka to join their workplaces.
They are flocking to Paturia-Daulatdia and Shimulia-Banglabazar ferry ghats to cross the river and reach the capital as offices reopened on Sunday following a three-day vacation.
The returnees seemed hardly concerned about maintaining hygiene rules although there is an alarming Covid surge in neighbouring India and Nepal.
Read: BGB personnel keep watch on Covid safety protocols at Shimulia ferry ghat
The detection of a deadlier Indian variant of virus in Bangladesh has also raised serious concerns here in recent days.
UNB Munshiganj correspondent says microbus, cars and auto-rickshaws are charging extra fares from passengers as public transport services remained suspended as part of the government restrictions to stem the transmission of coronavirus.
AGM of Bangladesh Inland water transport Authority (BIWTA) Shafiqul Islam said ferry services are in operation to carry vehicles providing emergency services even though public transport services have been suspended.
“People are now returning to Dhaka and adjacent districts through the overcrowded ferries without maintaining social distancing or wearing masks, raising the risks of virus transmission,” he said.
Mild heat weave sweeps parts of country
A mild heat wave is sweeping Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna and Barishal divisions, said Bangladesh Metrology Department (BMD).
Besides, mild heat waves are also sweeping the regions of Rangamati, Chandpur, Maizdicourt and Sayedpur and it may continue, said the Met office in its regular bulletin on Sunday.
Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Mymensingh, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Dhaka divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur and Chattogram, divisions with moderately heavy falls at places over the country.
Read: Rain brings relief to Dhaka dwellers
Weather may remain mainly dry elsewhere over the country.
In a regular forecast, it said the day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
The maximum temperature of the country was recorded at 38.0 degrees Celsius in Jashore on Sunday.
Global Covid-19 cases hit 162 million
As Covid-19 cases keep rising day by day in the world, over 162 million people have so far been infected with the deadly virus.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total caseload from the virus reached 162,203,982 while the death toll mounted to 3,365,081 as of Sunday morning.
Some 1,436,372, 607 doses of vaccines have been administered around the world till date, said JHU.
The Covid-19 cases in the US, which remained the world’s worst-hit country, is approaching 33 million cases as a total of 32,923,613 people have been found infected with the virus in the country alone with 585,704 fatalities.
India is holding the second position in terms of the number of cases. With shortage of oxygen and bed crisis at hospitals India has been experiencing a staggering situation of Covid-19 for the past several weeks that has shaken the health system of the country.
India has logged 24,372,907 cases with 266,207 deaths.
Also Read:Vaccine deserts: Some countries have no COVID-19 jabs at all
Brazil on Saturday reported 2,087 more deaths from COVID-19, raising the national count to 434,715, the Ministry of Health said.
Meanwhile, 67,009 more infections were detected, raising the nationwide tally to 15,586,534.
Brazil has the world's second highest COVID-19 death toll, after the United States, and the third largest caseload, following the United States and India.
Situation in Bangladesh
Covid-19 claimed 22 more lives in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours until Saturday morning which is the lowest daily deaths in nearly two months.
The country saw 26 Covid deaths on Friday and 31 on Thursday.
Also Read: Beware of Indian covid variant: Quader
With the latest deaths logged today, the official Covid-related death count in the country reached 12,124.
However, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.55%, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The country witnessed a sharp drop in the number of new cases as the tests have declined dramatically.
Only 261 infections were logged in the last 24 hours after examining 3,758 samples during the period.
The country also confirmed 779,796 Covid-19 cases in total, says the DGHS handout.
Lockdown extended till May 23
The government is going to extend the ongoing lockdown for another week until May 23 to stem the spread of Covid-19.
“The ongoing restrictions will be extended for another week and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given approval to it. A notification will be issued on Sunday,” State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told UNB on Friday.
5 burn injured in Chattogram blast
Five people suffered burn injuries in an explosion at a building in Bakolia area of Chattogram district on Saturday night.
The victims are Pradeep Das, 52, Madhusadan Datt, 45, Jadu Biswash, 55, Pankaj Dey, 40 and Kishore Kumar Dey, 42.
The explosion occurred from an unknown source at the flat of Pradeep Das at Bharapukur Par in the area around 8:45 pm after one person lit a cigarette lighter in the hous, leaving five people injured, said Mohammad Ruhul Amin, officer-in-charge of Bakolia Police Station.
Also read: 4 killed, 35 injured in Armanitola building fire
Later, the victims were taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital.
However, it is still not clear what caused the explosion.
Also read: 5 dead in fire at India's Covid vaccine facility
Dr. Rafique Uddin, Head of the burn unit of the hospital, said all the victims received 40-75 percent burn injuries.
Former Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chowdhury put on 3-day remand
A Chattogram Court on Saturday placed Shahjahan Chowdhury, a former MP and central leader of Jammat-e-Islam, on a 3-day remand in the case over Hefazat’s violence in Hathazari upazila.
Judicial Magistrate Shahriar Iqbal passed the order when police sought a 7-day remand to interrogate him, said district court inspector Humayun Kabir
Earlier,police arrested Shahjahan Chowdhury from his residence at Samdar Para in Satkania municipality area.
Also read: Ex-Jamaat MP Shahjahan Chowdhury held
Mohammad Anwar Hossain, officer-in-charge of Satkania Police Station, said a team of police arrested the ex-MP as he was wanted in many cases filed on sabotage charge.
He was also the nayeb-e-amir of Chattogram city unit Jamaat-e-Islami and member of the Majlish-e-sura of central unit Jamaat-e-Islami.
On April 30, 2019, detective police arrested Shahjahan Chowdhury from a madrasha and he served jail term.
Rain brings relief to Dhaka dwellers
A light rain coupled with thundershowers drenched Dhaka on Saturday evening, giving its residents some relief from scorching heat.
The rain started around 5:45 pm and lasted for about half an hour.
The Met office also forecast light to moderate rain/thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind at a few places over Dhaka, Rajshahi, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rangpur,Barishal, Khulna & Chattogram divisions in the next 24 hours from 6pm on Saturday.
Mild heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna & Barishal divisions and the regions of Rangamati, Chandpur, M.Court and Sayedpur & it may continue.
However, the day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, it predicts.
Highest 37 degree Celsius temperature was recorded in Rajshahi and Khulna divisions on Saturday while 36.1 degree Celsius in Dhaka
Covid-19: 22 more lives lost, lowest daily deaths in 7 weeks
Covid-19 claimed 22 more lives in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours until Saturday morning which is the lowest daily deaths in nearly two months.
The country saw 26 Covid deaths on Friday and 31 on Thursday.
With the latest deaths logged today, the official Covid-related death count in the country reached 12,124.
However, the mortality rate remained unchanged at 1.55%, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The country witnessed a sharp drop in the number of new cases as the tests have declined dramatically.
Only 261 infections were logged in the last 24 hours after examining 3,758 samples during the period.
The number of daily cases has been decreasing since the beginning of May, falling below 2,000.
Besides, the number of tests fell below 20, 00 on May 7 and has been on the wane since.
Also read: Covid-19: Ongoing lockdown to be extended until May 23
The country also confirmed 779,796 Covid-19 cases in total, says the DGHS handout.
The daily infection rate dropped to 6.95% from Friday's 10.82%, while the recovery rate stood at 92.52%.
Bangladesh has so far carried out 5,702,286 tests since reporting the first Covid-19 cases on March 8 last year and the first death from the virus on the 18th of the month.
The country experienced a surge in Covid-19 cases in April, recording its highest single-day cases of 7,626 on April 7. It witnessed over 100 deaths during April 16-19 and on April 25.
Lockdown extended till May 23
The government is going to extend the ongoing lockdown for another week until May 23 to stem the spread of Covid-19.
“The ongoing restrictions will be extended for another week and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given approval to it. A notification will be issued on Sunday,” State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told UNB on Friday.
The nationwide lockdown, imposed on April 5 to break the chain of Covid-19 infections and fatalities, has been extended several times to limit public movement and contain the surge in daily infections.
Also read: Global Covid cases approach 162 million
Vaccination drive
In late January, countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka started receiving vaccine doses through donations from India and other countries and commercial deals.
Bangladesh launched its vaccination drive on February 7 with Oxford-AstraZeneca doses purchased from India's Serum Institute.
The government signed an agreement with Serum for 30 million doses. But India temporarily halted exports of vaccines on March 24 to prioritise domestic requirements, following an explosion in Covid cases and fatalities in the country.
The move has left the region with a serious shortage of vaccines.
The administering of the first dose in Bangladesh has remained suspended since April 26. Also, the country, the prime recipient of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, has suspended the registration for Covid-19 jabs due to vaccine shortage amid a delay in the timely arrival of shipments from India.
5 lakh Chinese vaccine doses arrive
Bangladesh on Wednesday received 5 lakh doses of China's Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine as a gift.
Also read: 500 thousand doses of China’s gifted vaccine arrive in Bangladesh
The development came after the WHO listed the Sinopharm vaccine for emergency use, giving a nod for it to be rolled out globally.
Initially reluctant Bangladesh approved the Chinese jabs along with Russia's Sputnik vaccine as the second wave of the pandemic hit the country with dwindling vaccine stock.
Senior journalist Feeuri Khondoker passes away
Senior Journalist Feeuri Khondoker died at the Combined Military Hosptal (CMH), Dhaka on Saturday afternoon. He was 70.
Feeuri Khondoker, who had been suffering from cancer, breathed his last at the hospital around 2:30 pm.
Also read: Journalist Ahmed Momtaz no more
Feeuri, joint news editor of Daily Observer, was also a member of the Jatiya Press Club.
The namaz-e-janaza of the journalist will be held at Kodimdhalya village in Mirzapur upazila of Tangail after Asar prayers today.
Also read: Senior journalist Hassan Shahriar passes away