United News of Bangladesh

Mentioning that the sale of bulk edible oil in unhealthy drums poses a threat to public health, PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), a research and advocacy organization, urged people to stop selling of loose edible oil in unhealthy drums to ensure the nutritional quality of edible oil. PROGGA expressed their concern at an event marking the World Nutrition Day 2024, according to a press release issued on Monday. World Nutrition Day will be observed on Tuesday. PROGGA and ATMA push for 63% tobacco tax hike  The importance of vitamin fortified edible oil is immense in combating nutritional deficiency and improving public health. However, the sale of bulk edible oil in unhealthy drums poses a threat to public health as well as works as a barrier to the proper implementation of the 2013 Vitamin Fortification in Edible Oil Act, it said. According to research conducted by ICDDR, B in 2017, 65% of the total edible oil sold in Bangladesh is marketed in drums, of which, 59% does not contain any degree of vitamin-A fortification and 34% is poorly fortified. Considering the situation, the Ministry of Industry (MoInd) issued an executive order to phase out bulk soybean oil sold in drums by July 2022 and bulk palm oil sold in drums by December 2022. However, this order has yet to be effectively implemented. Bulk edible oil marketed in drums has the potential to adulterate,and the reuse of non-food grade plastic drums can severely contaminate the edible oil. ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA said, “Combating country-wide micronutrient deficiency, the government has already enacted the Vitamin ‘A’ fortification in the Edible Oil Act. In order to ensure the nutritional quality of edible oil, the sale of loose edible oil in unhealthy drums should be stopped.” Progga workshop zeroes in on funding gap for tackling non-communicable diseases According to the National Micronutrient Survey 2019-20, 50.9% of children aged 06-59 months and 7.5% of non-lactating or non-pregnant women suffer from Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency. Vitamin ‘A’ deficiency causes physiological issues like blindness, maternal death during pregnancy, etc.        

Mobile networks in nine coastal districts have been significantly impacted by the Cyclone Remal, said Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) on Monday.  Due to disruptions in the electricity supply, approximately 15,000 sites are currently down in these areas, it said.  Cyclone Remal causes Tk 96 crore in damages to power supply infrastructure, as per initial estimates  MNOs are closely working with the Power Authorities, Posts and Telecommunications Division and the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to restore the network as quickly as possible, it added. Cyclone Remal completed its landfall and weakened to a land depression over Bangladesh on Monday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Cyclone Remal has inflicted significant damage on the power supply networks across Bangladesh, with initial assessments from the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources estimating the cost at around Tk 96 crore. The cyclone has severely impacted power transmission and distribution systems, particularly under the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB). According to a press release from the ministry, power connections were either fully or partially disrupted in 65 out of 80 Palli Biduyt Samities (PBSs). The damage includes the destruction of 2,392 electric poles, 1,982 transformers, and 62,454 spans (wire strips) in 30 PBSs. Additionally, 21,848 insulators were broken, and 46,318 meters were destroyed. The total initial loss in these areas amounts to Tk 79.02 crore, with approximately 1.79 crore BREB consumers remaining without electricity until 2 pm. In the West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDC) area, the cyclone destroyed 20 poles, tilted 135 poles, broke down 24.34 km of power cables, damaged 11 kV transformers, destroyed 142 pole fittings, 12 transformers, and 134 of 11 kV insulators. The total initial loss in the WZPDC area is Tk 5.76 crore. The cyclone left about 4.53 lakh consumers in darkness in this region. Despite the adverse weather conditions, the operation of LNG Terminals (FSRUs) remained normal, and no damage was reported. The gas (RLNG) supply was increased to 1,000 MMCFD, with expectations to rise to 1,100 MMCFD today. The ministry noted that the extent of the damage could not be determined through on-site assessments due to the ongoing storm. Initial damage calculations were made through telephonic conversations with field-level officials.  Monitoring is being conducted round the clock via control rooms, and all staff leaves at BREB and WZPDC have been canceled to expedite the restoration of electricity in the affected areas as soon as the storm subsides.  

The cyclonic storm Remal which made landfall in Bangladesh's coastal area on Sunday night has so far claimed 10 lives, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman. Besides, 1,50,457 houses were damaged during the storm. Of these, 35,483 houses were fully damaged in 107 unions and 914 municipalities, said the state minister while speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat on Monday. The deaths were reported from Khulna, Satkhira, Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola and Chattogram districts. Among the deceased, three died in Bhola and Barishal districts each, and one each in Satkhira, Khulna, Chattogram and Patuakhali districts. Over 8 lakh people evacuated to shelters: State Minister Mohibur Nineteen districts have been affected during the storm, he said. These are Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, Barguna, Bhola, Feni, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Narail, Gopalganj, Shariatpur and Jashore. A total of 9424 shelters have been opened in the coastal districts of the country and over 8 lakh people took shelter there, he said. Besides, 52,146 domestic animals were also housed there. He also claimed that no major damage had occurred due to massive preparation taken by the ministry following the directives of the prime minister. Meanwhile, a total of 1,471 medical teams were formed to provide treatment to the people in the cyclone-hit areas and of them, 1,400 remain active. Tk 6.85 crore has been allocated to the affected people. Tk 3.85 crore, 5,500 tonnes of rice, 5,000 dry foods, Tk 1.50 crore for baby food and Tk 1.50 crore for fodder have been distributed in 15 districts, said the minister. Movement of bulkhead to be halted for 11 days during Eid: State Minister Talking about the Prime Minister’s visit to the cyclone affected areas, the state minister said, “We have heard that and for this, contact was made with the Prime Minister’s Office. We'll let you know when the program is finalised.” Cyclone Remal completed its landfall and weakened to a land depression over Bangladesh on Monday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

A 65-year-old  man was stabbed to death in the capital’s Demra on Monday noon. The deceased was identified as Unmesh Sarker, a resident in the capital of Demra. The grandson of the deceased Angan Mitra said he heard that Unmesh Sarkar had been attacked by his own son Bishnu Sarkar.   Two children drown in Chuadanga pond Inspector Md Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police outpost, said it is presumed he was murdered, there were visible injury marks on the left side of the deceased's chest. The body was kept at the morgue for autopsy, he said. The Demra police station has initiated a thorough investigation into the matter, he added.  

Dhaka experienced heavy rainfall triggered by cyclone Remal, resulting in waterlogging in various parts of the city. This situation has disrupted life and work for many individuals on the workday. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded 116 mm rains in nine hours till 3 pm on Monday. Most part of Chattogram port city goes under water during rains Different areas including Uttara Airport to Kakoli, Mirpur, Shewrapara, Kazipara, Agargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Rampura, Badda, Shyamoli, Manik Mia Avenue, and Mouchak were inundated , causing suffering to the residents. Streets in those areas were flooded, with individuals seen wading  through knee-deep water in some areas including Gabtoli to Mirpur Mazar Road. School and office-goers faced the brunt of the situation as they struggled to reach their destinations amidst the heavy rain and strong winds. Besides, low-income groups such as day labourers remained idle due to the lack of work caused by the adverse weather conditions. Cyclone Remal leaves 2.22 crore people without power Despite the traffic moving slowly, the overall traffic situation in the city remained normal, said Abu Saleh Md Raihan, joint commissioner (traffic north) of DMP. Pedestrians and commuters faced challenges due to flooded roads and sidewalks

The Election Commission on Monday postponed the elections to 19 out of 109 Upazila Parishads slated for May 29 due to the landfall of cyclone Remal on Sunday. EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam said this at a press conference in the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area. He said the EC and the field-level administration took preparations to conduct elections to 109 upazila parishads in the third phase of the sixth upazila parishad election on May 29 next. But the Commission postponed the elections to 19 upazila parishads considering the severe brunt of the cyclone Remal in the election areas, said the EC Secretary, adding that the decision was taken depending on information so far gathered from the field. Six injured in attack over election office in Jashore The 19 Upazilas where election won’t be held on May 29 include 18 ones in  the coastal districts and one in Rangamati district. The 19 upazilas are  Sarankhola, Morrelganj and Mongla upazilas in Bagerhat district; Koira, Paikgaccha and Dumuria in Khulna; Gournadi and Agailjhara in Barishal; Patuakhali Sadar, Mirzaganj and Dumki in Patuakhali; Mothbaria in Pirojpur; Tazmuddin and Lalmohon in Bhola;Rajapur and Kathalia in Jhalakati; Bamna and Patharghata in Barguna, and Baghaichhari in Rangamati.  In reply to a question, the EC Secretary said the polls to other upazila parishads might  be suspended, if  information on devastation is received from other upazilas. Now, a total of 90 upazila parishads will go to polls in the third phase election on May 29.

Flight operations resumed today at Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport after 17 hours of suspension amid heavy rain caused by Cyclone Remal. Flight operations resumed at 5 am on Monday, said Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, public relations officer of the airport. Impact of Cyclone Remal: Rain disrupts commute for office workers, students in Dhaka During this period, a total of 16 flights, including 7 international ones, were cancelled, he added. Flight operations at the airport were suspended from 12 pm on Sunday due to Cyclone Remal. The decision was taken in response to the issuance of danger signal no. 9 by the Meteorological Department, prompting authorities to prioritize the safety of passengers and personnel. Cycle Remal: Flight operations halted at Ctg Airport Initially, the suspension lasted from 12 noon to 8 pm. But, later it was extended till 5 am today.

Heavy rains and strong wind brought by Cyclone Remal  have lashed the costal districts in the country, leaving  at least eight people dead, flooding villages and uprooting  trees. According to reports reaching the UNB news desk, eight people died in Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola and Satkhira districts on Sunday night and Monday. Among the deceased, three died in Bhola, two each in Barishal and Patuakhali districts and one in Satkhira district. In Bhola, three people including a woman and a child died during heavy rains influenced by the cyclone. According to the control room of local administration, Maneja Khatun, 50 died when a house collapsed on her at Char Umed union of Lalmohan upazila of the district on Monday morning. Raisha, 3, of Daulatkhan municipality and Jahangir, 50 of Chachra Union on Borhanuddin upazila were also killed during the storm. Deputy Commissioner of Bhola Arifuzzaman, said local administration is working to estimate the damages caused by the storm. Power supply to the district remained suspended since Sunday, disrupting mobile networks and internet service. A number of trees and electric poles were uprooted while many thatched houses were damaged during the storm. Besides, Dhal char, char Kukrimukri and Monpura in Charfashion upazila went under 4/5 feet water, leaving over 25000 people marooned. In Barishal, two people died and another was injured when a portion of the roof of a multi-storied building collapsed on a tin shed hotel in Barishal's Rupatali area amid heavy rain caused by Cyclone Remal early Monday. Cyclone Remal: Another man dies on the way to shelter The victims were identified as hotel owner Lokman Hossain and his employee Mokchedur Rahman. In Satkhira, another man died while going to a shelter during storm in Shyamnagar upazila on Sunday evening. The victim was identified as Shawkot Hossain Morol, 65. He was a resident of Napitkhali village under Gabura union of the upazila. In Patuakhali, Sharif, 24, a fisherman of Anantapara area of Kalapara upazila, was found dead, an hour after he was swept away by  tidal surge caused by Cyclone Remal on Sunday afternoon in Kalapara upazila. Besides,  Karim Ali Khan, 65, of Baufal upazila was killed when a house collapsed on him around 6 am on Monday. Sunit Kumar Gain, officer-in-charge of Baufal Police Station confirmed the death. The violent storm disrupted power supply to southern districts, leaving over 2 crore people without power since Sunday night. Power supply to 2.22 crore consumers of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), out of its total 3.58 crore, has been suspended following the landfall of cyclone Remal on Sunday, according to a BREB official. He said mainly the power transmission was halted to those cyclone-hit areas as part of a cautionary measure to avoid any accident. According to primary report received from Bagerhat, the cyclone's fury has damaged homes, uprooted trees, broken electric poles and severed power lines, leaving nearly 500,000 residents without electricity since Sunday night. Cyclone Remal: Over 100 shrimp enclosures washed away in Khulna; 30 villages inundated On Sunday night, embankments in several areas were breached, inundating villages with tidal waters. Deputy Commissioner Md. Khalid Hossain confirmed the preliminary data, indicating that 10,000 families have been stranded and 45,000 homes have been destroyed. In Khulna over 100 shrimp enclosures in Khulna's Koyra, Dacope and Paikgacha upazilas were washed away by tidal surges. Besides, at least 30 villages were inundated after the collapse of dams in 9 places in these upazilas. Bangladesh has evacuated more than 800,000 people from the coastal regions. Meanwhile, severe Cyclonic Storm Remal, which made landfall on Bangladesh’s coast on Sunday (May 26, 2024) night, moved northwards and weakened into a cyclonic storm and further weakened into a land deep depression over Jashore and adjoining area, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department. It is likely to move northeastwards further and weaken into a land depression by giving precipitation, the BMD stated in its special bulletin. Maritime ports of Payra and Mongla have been advised to lower danger signal number 10 but instead hoist local cautionary signal number three (R ) three. Maritime ports of Cox's bazar and Chattogram have been advised to lower danger signal number nine but instead hoist local cautionary signal number three (r) three.

As the country faces the impact of a powerful cyclone, the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources has urged everyone to follow these crucial electricity safety tips to stay safe: Avoid downed lines: Do not touch fallen wires. Report them immediately to the nearest electricity office. Report trees on lines: If you see trees or branches on power lines, notify the electricity office. Contact numbers can be found on your electricity bill. Read more: Cyclone Remal weakens into a land deep depression over Jashore, adjoining area Stay away from poles and wires: Refrain from touching electric poles or wires during storms. Meter safety: If your meter wire is damaged or touches your roof, report it without attempting to handle it yourself. Volunteer help: Assist electricity workers if they need help during the disaster. For assistance, call 16999 or reach out to the regional control rooms: Rural Electrification Board: 01792-623467, 02-8900575 West Zone Power Distribution: -- Barishal: 01713-850218 -- Khulna: 01713-850211 -- Patuakhali: 01713-850219        Read more: Cyclone Remal leaves 2.22 crore people without power