United News of Bangladesh

One more death was reported from dengue in 24 hours till Monday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 34 this year. During the period, 16 more patients were hospitalised with viral fever, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Of them, 10 patients were hospitalised in Dhaka city, while the rest were outside the capital. The person, who died in the last 24 hours, is from an area under the Dhaka South City Corporation. Currently, 132 patients are receiving treatment at several hospitals across the country. A total of 2,789 dengue cases have been reported since January 1, 2024. Last year, a total of 1,705 people lost their lives due to dengue, making it the deadliest year on record. The DGHS recorded 321,179 dengue cases and 3, 18,749 recoveries last year. Last year’s September was the deadliest month for the dengue outbreak, with 396 fatalities and 79,598 cases, according to DGHS data.

Bangladesh reported 13 more COVID-19 cases in 24 hours till Monday morning. With the new numbers, the country's total COVID-19 caseload rose to 2,050,380, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,495 as no new fatalities were reported during this period. The daily case test positivity rate was 5.04 percent as 258 samples were tested, said the DGHS. The recovery and death rates stood at 98.41 percent and 1.44 per cent, respectively.

Agriculture Minister Md Abdus Shahid on Monday said the price of essentials is at tolerable level so there is no reason to be unhappy. "We have seen the comparative picture of the price of rice, sugar, ginger, garlic in our neighbouring countries. We are in a premium position everywhere. So I would say that there is no reason to be unhappy. We are trying our level best to keep the people satisfied and will continue in future,” he said. The Agriculture Minister came up with the information while talking to reporters after the inter-ministerial meeting on prevention of price hike of essential commodities, held at the Secretariat. Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder and State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu were present there. Rice production rises over four times in 50 years: Agriculture Minister at World Water Forum The meeting also informed about the bumper production of Boro paddy. “There is no shortage of rice and the price of rice is stable. The production of potato is lower than the previous years and the government opened imports of potatoes and onions. There will be no problem,” said the minister. Mentioning about the rise in egg price, Shahid said the secretaries are talking to the deputy commissioners every day over mobile phones. “Even today, we agreed on what the current situation is and what measures we can take in the future. Our budget is coming up. There may be an interaction after the budget comes,” he said. Workshop: Importance of integrating nutrition into agriculture value chain highlighted

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.