Toxic black waste from industries, factories and nearby residential areas in Chattogram is entering the Halda River through the Katakhali and Bamanshahi canals, according to the report published on July 26, 2026. Monsoon and floodwater are mixing with the waste, turning the river’s clear water dark and black. The pollution is described as a serious threat to brood fish, dolphins, the aquatic environment and biodiversity in the river, identified in the report as Asia’s only natural fish breeding ground.

Residents said foul odours from the black water have made movement difficult in Shikarpur and the Madunaghat Kuwaish College area, while people are suffering from various illnesses. The pollution is occurring during the April to June-July spawning season for brood fish. Egg collectors along the riverbank warned that the Halda could face conditions similar to the Buriganga if the situation continues.

Local residents said industrial and household waste from Bahir Signal, Oxygen and Kulgaon reaches canals through drains before flowing into the river. Professor Dr Manjurul Kibria called for protecting the Halda from toxic waste. The report also cited unplanned sluice gates and embankments across 36 tributary canals, rivers and streams as obstructing natural flow.

China has evacuated more than 20,000 people from its southern region as powerful Super Typhoon Noul rapidly approaches the coast, state media reported, citing AFP. China’s National Meteorological Center said the storm could make landfall in coastal areas from Hong Kong to Guangdong province between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The weather office maintained its second-highest, orange alert under a four-tier warning system on Saturday.

The meteorological center warned of strong winds and heavy rainfall in parts of Guangdong and neighboring Fujian province. CCTV said that by Friday night, more than 20,000 people in Guangdong had been moved to safe shelters. All fishing vessels at sea were ordered to return to safe ports, and they have returned.

Transport and school activities have also been disrupted. Several train services in Guangdong were suspended on Saturday morning, while all rail services in the province are due to be suspended on Sunday, according to CCTV. Local media said schools in Chaozhou city, Guangdong, were instructed to temporarily halt educational and other activities. Extreme weather has already caused extensive damage in southern and central China this month.

Wildfires burning for several days in France and Spain have forced more than 250,000 people to move to safety, according to a report published on July 25. In southwestern France, strong winds are rapidly spreading flames toward Bordeaux, where officials said the fire remained out of control. Residents of seven towns west of Bordeaux were ordered to evacuate urgently on Saturday night.

Nearly 200,000 people have been evacuated from France's Gironde and Landes regions. The French government deployed the military to help contain the crisis, with troops clearing brush and building firebreaks to limit the flames' spread. By Saturday morning, the wildfire was about 40 to 50 kilometres from Bordeaux, while wind carried smoke toward the city and residents reported a strong burning smell.

A state of emergency remains in force in Spain. Improved weather outside Madrid brought some relief to firefighters, but an elderly man in his seventies died in a Valencia-region wildfire and was found inside his car, local media reported. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said difficult times lay ahead. Tourist Spencer Randall, who fled with his family from the fire near Bordeaux, described it as terrifying.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Lion Dr Sheikh Faridul Islam warned that strict legal action will be taken against those involved in destroying the Sundarbans, looting forest resources, fishing with poison or carrying out environmentally damaging activities. He made the remarks on July 25 at a daylong citizens’ dialogue in Mongla, Bagerhat, on protecting the Sundarbans and coastal livelihoods for sustainable development.

He said the forest is vital to the livelihoods of millions in southwestern Bangladesh, disaster protection and environmental balance. The minister said action would also be taken if specific evidence links any Forest Department officer or employee to poison fishing. Speakers at the dialogue called for stronger public awareness, strict enforcement of environmental laws and alternative jobs for forest-dependent people.

The minister said wood will not be allowed as fuel in brick kilns and that there are no plans for new coal-based power plants. He said future power generation would prioritize renewable energy, particularly solar and wind. He also said 661 metric tons of rice have been allocated for 8,271 coastal fishing families for the first time.

Students and environmental advocates at Jagannath University have raised concerns after concrete was poured up to the bases of several old trees during modernization and beautification work at the university’s TSC area. The report, published on July 25, 2026, said the construction has prompted fears over the trees’ normal growth and long-term survival.

On-site observations found that concrete had been laid around several trees with almost no exposed soil remaining near their roots. This could obstruct rainwater from entering the soil, limit air circulation, and disrupt the supply of oxygen and nutrients to roots. Students said the campus has only a small number of large trees, which provide shade, comfort and a natural environment, and argued that development should protect them.

Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman of the Geography and Environment Department said trees may be unable to absorb water and mineral salts if soil is absent around their bases, hindering growth and potentially causing death over time. Proctor Professor Dr. Mohammad Nasir Uddin said workers had poured the concrete by mistake and that it would be corrected the following day.

Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department issued local warning signal No. 3 for the seaports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra after a low-pressure area formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-north Odisha coast. The forecast, published on July 25, said rough seas could bring heavy rain to coastal areas from Sunday night.

The monsoon trough extends from Rajasthan through Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to the low-pressure centre, southern Bangladesh and Assam. The system may move slowly westward and cross the coast. Light to moderate rain is forecast for central areas, including the capital, while northern areas may remain dry initially before rainfall increases after the system crosses the coast.

Meteorologist Tariful Newaz Kabir said the system was unlikely to intensify into a depression and its effects could remain largely confined to coastal districts. Fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal were advised to stay near the coast and move cautiously. Reduced rainfall has significantly improved the overall flood situation, though the Kushiyara River remains above danger level at two points.

A mobile court in Tongibari, Munshiganj, fined three people a total of Tk350,000 over allegations of illegally cutting and selling soil from agricultural land. According to a report published on July 25, the operation was conducted from 7:50am to 1:50pm on Saturday around Betka Bazar, the canal in the Chhatphatia area, and the bank of a Dhaleshwari branch river. Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Wazed Wasif led the drive.

Mobile court sources said the accused were loading soil cut from farmland onto trawlers within about one kilometre of Betka Bridge. Three people were detained along with soil-laden trawlers and soil-cutting equipment during the operation. The fines were imposed under the Sand Quarry and Soil Management Act.

Md Wazed Wasif said such operations would continue to protect agricultural land and stop illegal soil cutting. The report did not identify the three detainees or specify how the Tk350,000 penalty was divided among them.

A programme to plant 100,000 tree saplings within a year has been launched in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar. Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, MP, inaugurated the initiative on Saturday morning at the Sreemangal Victoria High School field. He said the saplings would be planted across the upazila over the coming year.

Chowdhury said the initiative is part of the prime minister's announced programme to plant 250 million saplings over five years. The programme will be implemented through coordination among the upazila administration, elected representatives and political leaders. The launch was attended by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ziaur Rahman, municipal executive engineer Md Zahurul Islam, officer-in-charge Abdullah Al Mamun and representatives of political and social organisations.

Under the plan, 10,000 saplings will be planted gradually in each of the upazila's nine unions. The programme will also be expanded to every ward, while saplings will be distributed free among members of the public. A similar initiative is planned for Kamalganj upazila. Chowdhury sought overall cooperation from Sreemangal residents and urged them to plant more trees.

Several sections of an LGED road linking Rajabari and Jilbari in Baldia ইউনিয়ন of Nesarabad upazila, Pirojpur, have collapsed into a canal after several days of heavy rain. The report, published on July 25, said traffic by auto-rickshaws, vans and other light vehicles has completely stopped. At least 30,000 residents of five villages are facing severe disruption as a result.

Major subsidence was observed along roughly two kilometres of road, from in front of Mahiyuddin Chairman’s house in Rajabari through Binna Bazar to Jilbari. A significant portion of the road had already been lost to canal erosion over about 18 years, while recent rain created deep holes in the remaining sections. Residents have placed wooden planks and small temporary footbridges across damaged areas to allow limited motorcycle movement.

The route serves seven villages in Baldia Union and three villages in neighbouring Nazirpur upazila. Students, patients, older people and workers have been particularly affected. Union Parishad Chairman Md Saidur Rahman said an earlier repair tender was not implemented. Housing and Public Works Minister Ahammed Sohel Monjur Suman MP, after visiting the site, said repair work would begin soon.

More than 220,000 people have been moved to safety as severe wildfires spread rapidly across Spain and France. Spain declared a national emergency for the first time in its history on July 25 as conditions worsened, while France requested European Union assistance to contain fires in its southwest.

In Spain, three separate fires west of Madrid merged into a larger blaze, challenging firefighters. About 63,000 people were ordered to leave affected areas or remain indoors, including at least 25,000 who were evacuated. At least 6,000 hectares have burned in the Madrid region and about 9,000 hectares in Avila province. Residents were evacuated from eight municipalities, while lockdowns remain in several other areas.

In France, more than 140,000 people were evacuated from the Gironde and Landes regions. More than 19,000 hectares of forest burned in Gironde and about 80 homes were destroyed. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the fire was advancing toward Bordeaux, and at least 50 firefighters were injured. The Czech Republic and Slovakia announced they would send two Black Hawk helicopters.

Residents of Nayanpur in Sreepur upazila, Gazipur, are building a drain with their own funds rather than waiting for government allocations or action by relevant offices. Published on July 25, 2026, the report says about 40 families are jointly financing the project to address waterlogging that has caused hardship for nearly two decades.

Locals said rainwater had accumulated for years on the affected stretch of the Maona-Dhanua regional road, making it a persistent waterlogging point. Students from nearby schools and colleges, thousands of garment workers, traders, pedestrians and vehicle drivers faced daily disruption. Students said the low-lying road section remained underwater for four to five months a year, at times preventing even rickshaws and bicycles from moving.

Grocer Ismail Hossain said the construction has created temporary inconvenience, but completion could bring relief from longstanding waterlogging. Local BNP leader and union council chairman candidate Ariful Islam Sarkar called drain construction during road repair the most logical decision and praised the collective initiative. The administration, however, said the drain was built by cutting the road without permission.

Rangpur-1 (Gangachara) lawmaker Raihan Siraji visited areas affected by severe erosion along the Teesta River in Rangpur on Friday afternoon. He toured Char Kacharipara in Nohali Union and Brief Bazar and Minar Bazar in Ward No. 2 of Gangachara upazila. During the visit, he spoke with affected families, heard their accounts of hardship, and called for swift, effective measures to stop the erosion.

Siraji said the homesteads of seven families had already been swallowed by the river, while several villages were under threat because of the intensity of the erosion. Without urgent action, he said, a wider area could be lost to the river. He added that the river, once about one kilometre from homes, had reached their doorsteps, prompting many families to move their houses to safer locations.

The lawmaker said there was no alternative to placing geobags to curb erosion. He claimed that urgently placing about 20,000 geobags along the riverbank could protect several villages, hundreds of acres of farmland and important structures. He also discussed the progress, quality and effectiveness of erosion-control work with relevant officials and directed them to complete it quickly and properly.

Spain declared a wildfire emergency for the first time on July 24 as severe heatwaves across Europe fuelled major fires and large-scale evacuations. France also requested emergency assistance from the European Union to tackle fires along its Atlantic coast. Authorities in affected countries have moved residents from extensive areas to safer shelters as they work to contain the blazes and protect lives.

In France, officials ordered the evacuation of the entire tourist-frequented Cape Ferret peninsula after flames and thick smoke reached close to residential areas. About 63,000 residents have been evacuated, with a large share rescued by sea. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said a fire that began in the Saumos area near the peninsula's northern end had nearly blocked the only main road out.

The fire, described by Nunez as France's worst of the year, has burned about 10,000 hectares and damaged at least 80 homes, including 50 destroyed completely. In Spain, more than 10,000 residents were evacuated from towns in mountainous areas west of Madrid. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the emergency declaration would make coordination among agencies and overall control of the situation easier.

Kazi Rawnakul Islam Tipu has been appointed managing director of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCCT) on a one-year contractual basis, with Grade-2 status. The Ministry of Public Administration’s Contract and Foreign Employment Wing issued a notification on Thursday. The report was published on July 24, 2026.

The notification was signed by Md. Golam Rabbani, deputy secretary at the Ministry of Public Administration, by order of the President. It said the appointment was made under Section 19(2) of the Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Act, 2010. Tipu will serve as managing director for one year from the date of joining.

Before assuming the role, he must sever existing work relationships with any profession, business, government, semi-government, autonomous or private institution, and organization. Other contractual terms will be set through an agreement between both sides. Tipu had long served as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s central committee assistant secretary for forest and environment affairs. Copies of the notification were sent to relevant offices, with instructions to publish it on the ministry’s website.

Flood conditions have worsened in India’s Assam state, affecting more than 721,000 people across 11 districts, according to the latest report released Friday by Assam’s Disaster Reporting and Information Management System. Nearly 900 villages remain fully inundated. Six additional deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, bringing the seasonal flood death toll to 47. Sivasagar is the worst-hit district, with about 392,000 people affected. Charaideo, Jorhat and Dibrugarh are also among the affected districts.

Local authorities have opened 106 relief camps and 381 relief distribution centres. A total of 24,418 people are sheltering in the camps, while nearly 290,826 people are receiving assistance through distribution centres. Rescue and relief operations include 111 medical teams, 56 boats and an Indian Air Force helicopter. Authorities have moved 8,409 people and 35 animals to safer locations. Floodwaters have submerged about 24,897 hectares of cropland and affected 138,965 animals. Water levels in four rivers are above danger marks, while the Disang River has crossed its highest flood level.