A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. The storm has caused widespread travel disruption, with more than 5,000 flights canceled and around 600 delayed across the country, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. New York City has issued a travel ban, while several states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have declared states of emergency.

FlightAware reported that the highest number of cancellations occurred at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia airports. JetBlue Airways said it had already canceled 776 flights and warned passengers of significant disruptions and cancellations through February 24. The National Weather Service forecast that the storm would affect the U.S. Northeast and much of the Canadian Maritimes from Sunday evening through Monday.

Forecasters described the system as potentially the strongest “nor’easter” in nearly a decade, warning of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding across affected areas.

A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. New York City has issued a full travel ban from Sunday night to Monday noon, with Mayor Zohraan Mamdani announcing the closure of all roads, highways, bridges, and schools. Several states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, have declared states of emergency as thousands of flights were canceled due to the blizzard.

The U.S. National Weather Service forecasted that this could be the strongest nor’easter in nearly a decade, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding. New York City is expecting 18 to 24 inches of snow, with temperatures dropping to around minus six degrees Celsius. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide emergency and deployed about 100 National Guard members, warning that Long Island and New York City lie directly in the storm’s path.

Governors across the region have taken precautionary measures, including shutting down public transport in New Jersey and restricting commercial traffic in Connecticut, as the storm continues to intensify through Monday.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government has planned to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh. He made the statement on Sunday while inaugurating a canal re-excavation program at Sharikal Union in Gournadi upazila of Barishal. The initiative is part of the Barishal, Bhola, Jhalakathi, and Pirojpur district irrigation development project. The minister said the program aims to ensure tidal water reaches farmers’ lands directly, improving agricultural productivity.

Swapan recalled that the canal excavation program initiated by Shaheed Ziaur Rahman had previously increased food production, but lack of maintenance later reduced its benefits. He said the new program, launched under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, seeks to restore those gains. Alongside canal re-excavation, a tree planting campaign has also begun as part of the broader environmental effort.

The minister emphasized that the government would not be partisan and that bureaucrats and police should be enabled to serve the public effectively. He added that the nationwide canal excavation program would be formally inaugurated soon, with local administration officials present at the Barishal event.

Member of Parliament for Bagerhat-2, Manjurul Haque Rahad, led a large-scale cleanliness campaign across important areas of Bagerhat municipality on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The drive covered busy locations including the court premises, Bagerhat Sadar Hospital compound, and several municipal roads and public spaces. Local dignitaries, municipal workers, and residents participated, distributing leaflets and delivering short speeches to raise public awareness about cleanliness.

During the event, MP Rahad emphasized the importance of maintaining order and hygiene in society, stating that a clean city is a shared responsibility. He highlighted that keeping hospitals and public gathering places clean is vital for public health. Rahad announced plans to improve waste management, ensure regular cleaning, and enhance civic awareness to transform Bagerhat into a modern and healthy city.

Local residents welcomed the initiative, noting that the direct involvement of their elected representative had given new momentum to cleanliness efforts. They expressed hope that consistent monitoring and coordinated action would bring visible improvements to the municipal environment.

At least 72 tigers have died from a viral infection at a zoo in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, according to a statement issued Friday by the provincial livestock department. Tests confirmed that the animals were infected with the highly contagious canine distemper virus and also suffered from bacterial respiratory infections. The zoo, known as Tigers Kingdom, has been temporarily closed following the mass deaths.

Somchuan Rattanamungklanon, director of Thailand’s national livestock department, told local media that detecting illness in tigers is more difficult than in domestic animals such as dogs or cats, and by the time symptoms become apparent, it is often too late. The zoo, a popular tourist attraction, allowed visitors to hug and take photos with tigers.

Animal rights group PETA said in a statement to AFP that the tigers lived and died in distressing, confined, and fearful conditions. The organization added that if tourists stayed away, such facilities would quickly become unprofitable and tragedies like this would not occur.

According to data from the Air Quality Index (IQAir) released on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 9:18 a.m., Lahore, Pakistan, recorded the highest level of air pollution in the world. The city’s air quality score reached 390, placing it in the hazardous category. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranked second with a score of 250, indicating very unhealthy air conditions. Kolkata, India, followed in third place with a score of 218, also classified as very unhealthy.

The IQAir index categorizes air quality based on numerical scores: 0–50 is considered good, 51–100 moderate, 101–150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 unhealthy, 201–300 very unhealthy, and above 301 hazardous. The latest readings highlight severe air pollution across major South Asian cities, with Lahore’s air quality reaching a dangerous level and Dhaka’s remaining critically poor.

The report underscores persistent air quality challenges in the region, signaling ongoing health and environmental risks for urban populations if pollution levels remain high.

The once-mighty Padma River in Rajbari has turned into a narrow channel as vast stretches have dried up, exposing numerous sandbars across nearly fifty kilometers. The shrinking river has reduced navigability and created acute water shortages for hundreds of families living in the char areas. Locals report that the river has become so shallow that crossing it on foot may soon be possible.

Residents recall that three decades ago, the river maintained strong flow even in dry seasons. Now, farmers struggle to transport crops and goods from the opposite bank, often resorting to walking or using animal carts. Livestock owners travel long distances to bathe and water their cattle as nearby ponds have dried up, and tube wells no longer yield water.

According to Subrata Kumar, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board’s Rajbari Sadar Division, reduced upstream flow and lower surface-level capacity have caused the drying. He added that decreased water release from the Farakka Barrage is a major factor. A survey is underway to determine the full extent of the problem.

A severe shortage of drinking water has gripped Charfassion in Bhola as groundwater levels have fallen sharply, leaving thousands of deep tube wells dry. According to the report published on February 22, 2026, water is no longer coming from about 12,000 deep tube wells across Charfassion municipality and 21 unions. Residents are now forced to collect water from ponds, canals, and ditches, causing widespread suffering. The lack of clean water has disrupted daily life, including prayer activities in mosques, and raised health concerns due to the use of contaminated surface water.

The Department of Public Health Engineering in Charfassion stated that around 10–12 thousand government-installed deep tube wells exist in the area, along with over a hundred thousand privately owned ones. Of these, about 2,500 government-funded and more than 40,000 private tube wells are currently nonfunctional. Officials said the groundwater level has been dropping by about two feet each year, worsened by irrigation-related extraction. The Upazila administration has advised contacting the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation to address the issue.

The crisis has heightened risks of waterborne diseases, particularly among children, as residents rely on unsafe water sources.

Nine people, including six female skiers and three professional guides, were killed in a massive avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, described as the most deadly avalanche in the United States in 45 years. The victims were on a three-day backcountry skiing expedition under the supervision of experienced guides when the avalanche struck on Tuesday morning as they prepared to return. A snow layer the size of a football field collapsed suddenly, burying them within seconds.

Rescue teams faced severe wind and near-zero visibility, delaying operations. Six people were rescued alive, but nine others could not be saved. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether negligence played a role. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reported that the site remains dangerous, with one person still missing.

The tragedy has cast a shadow of grief over the community. Psychologist Sara Boylen said the incident has caused deep emotional trauma for mountain enthusiasts, turning a place of peace into one of loss.

At least five people have been killed in a severe snowstorm that struck Austria, causing widespread power outages and transport disruptions. Officials reported that one person died in the northern city of Linz, while four skiers were killed in avalanches in the Tyrol region. Three of them died near the St. Anton ski resort, and another was killed in Nauders, where one more person was injured.

The storm has brought up to 16 inches of snowfall since Thursday, prompting warnings in southeastern Austria, particularly around the city of Graz. This winter season’s avalanche death toll in the country has now reached 21. Vienna International Airport was temporarily closed on Friday morning, and afternoon services were also affected.

According to the national automobile association ÖAMTC, several major highways near Vienna were closed for hours. Power companies reported outages in southern and eastern regions, including Styria, where about 30,000 homes lost electricity.

Thousands of migratory birds have flocked to Jobai Beel in Sapahar upazila of Naogaon, creating a lively natural scene even after winter’s end. The wetland, located about nine kilometers west of the upazila headquarters, has become a safe haven for birds arriving from home and abroad in search of food and warmth. According to the Jobai Beel Biodiversity Conservation and Social Welfare Organization, 44 bird species have been recorded this season, including 26 migratory and 18 native species, totaling around 2,258 birds.

The organization’s president, Sohanur Rahman Sabuj, noted that while the number of species has increased, the total bird count has declined from about 11,000 the previous year. Local residents said that as water levels recede after the monsoon, small fish, snails, and insects become abundant, attracting diverse bird flocks. Nature enthusiasts have called on authorities to protect the birds from hunters.

Visitors and bird lovers have urged the government to declare part of Jobai Beel a protected area and develop it as a traditional tourist center to ensure safe bird habitation year-round.

The Someshwari River flowing past Madhyanagar upazila in Sunamganj is rapidly losing navigability, turning into sandbars and threatening the survival of the 150-year-old Madhyanagar market. Once a major rice trading hub, the market now faces stagnation as boat transport has become nearly impossible during dry months. Traders report that goods must be unloaded and reloaded multiple times, increasing both time and costs, while irrigation now depends on deep tube wells due to reduced water flow.

Local traders and boatmen said that from mid-Poush to Chaitra, parts of the river dry up completely, halting large boat movement for three to four months. Business leaders warned that without dredging, the market’s economic importance will vanish. Farmers and traders are already suffering from higher transport costs and reduced trade volume. The Sunamganj district farmers’ association and local business groups have long demanded river dredging to restore navigability.

According to the Water Development Board’s Sunamganj office, a plan to dredge 19 rivers, including the Someshwari, is under consideration. The project awaits approval before dredging can begin.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie MP announced that a nationwide canal excavation program will begin soon, aiming to be completed within 180 days. Speaking at a meeting with district administration and Water Development Board officials at the Lakshmipur Circuit House on February 20, 2026, he said the initiative will include Lakshmipur. The minister explained that a new project for excavating the Bhulua River and re-excavating the Rahmatkhali Canal in Greater Noakhali has been planned to address long-standing waterlogging problems in Lakshmipur.

Annie stated that feasibility studies are underway to address erosion along the Meghna River and Rahmatkhali canal banks. He emphasized that the government intends to implement the project according to plan to relieve residents from chronic waterlogging issues. During his three-day visit to his home district, he also discussed maintaining law and order, controlling commodity prices during Ramadan, and ensuring healthcare services at the district hospital.

Local officials, including the deputy commissioner and police superintendent, greeted the minister with floral tributes at the Circuit House before the meeting.

Bangladesh’s Water Resources Minister Md. Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee announced that the government will begin a nationwide canal excavation program within the next 180 days. He made the statement on Thursday, February 19, following an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The initiative aims to address long-standing waterlogging and irrigation challenges across the country.

The minister noted that canal excavation was a major success during the presidency of Ziaur Rahman, but years of neglect have led to increased waterlogging, loss of navigability in water bodies, and disruption in agricultural irrigation. He said the issue was prioritized in the election manifesto, and the Prime Minister has emphasized its importance since before the election.

Four ministries—the Water Resources, Local Government, Agriculture, and Disaster Management ministries—will jointly prepare an action plan. The next meeting, scheduled for next week, will finalize the program’s timeline and implementation framework. The government expects the initiative to reduce waterlogging, improve irrigation systems, and boost agricultural productivity.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu announced his commitment to adopting eco-friendly policies aimed at building a pollution-free Bangladesh. Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Wednesday, his first day in office, he said the goal is to ensure that citizens can breathe clean air. He emphasized that the environment is an important sector with many opportunities for work, but it requires time and dedication.

Mintu was elected from Feni-3 (Sonagazi, Daganbhuiyan) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, securing 157,425 votes. His appointment marks the first time in 36 years that Feni district has a full minister since Zafar Imam, excluding former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who was elected from Feni-1 multiple times. With the formation of the BNP government following the 13th election, residents of Feni have once again gained ministerial representation.

The minister’s remarks signal the new administration’s focus on environmental governance and sustainable policy implementation under his leadership.