The government has issued a gazette prohibiting the extraction of groundwater for irrigation in the Barind region, covering 4,911 mouzas across Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, and Natore districts. The order allows groundwater use only for drinking purposes. Farmers in the area, who depend heavily on groundwater for crop cultivation, have expressed deep concern, warning that the sudden ban without alternative irrigation systems or subsidies could reduce crop production by about 2.7 million tons this season and leave 2.54 million hectares of land uncultivated.

Experts and local farmers argue that the decision disregards the agricultural realities of the drought-prone Barind area, where the government itself had promoted deep tube-well irrigation since the 1980s through the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority. They say the ban shifts responsibility for groundwater depletion onto farmers while ignoring the state’s institutional role in creating the system. Officials and researchers have urged phased implementation, farmer consultation, and interim support to prevent economic and social crises.

The Barind region’s future agricultural stability remains uncertain as stakeholders call for reconsideration of the gazette and development of sustainable water management alternatives.

A mild cold wave has swept across Kurigram district, located near the Himalayas, severely disrupting daily life. The district recorded a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius with 99 percent humidity on January 3, according to the local agricultural meteorological office. Dense fog and cold winds have reduced visibility, halting agricultural work, slowing long-distance transport, and causing frequent accidents. Boat passengers in riverine areas have faced severe hardship as fog causes boats to lose direction.

Kurigram, home to about 2.5 million people, has a poverty rate of 71 percent. Many low-income residents are struggling to buy warm clothes, relying instead on cheap roadside garments. The Civil Surgeon’s Office reported that in December alone, 1,400 people were hospitalized with diarrhea and about 3,000 with fever, cold, and pneumonia, mostly children and the elderly. Authorities have advised special care for vulnerable groups.

District relief officials said 27,000 blankets have been distributed and each of the nine upazilas received six lakh taka in aid. The cold wave is expected to intensify in the coming days.

A man named Abdus Salam, aged 35 and a tube-well mechanic by profession, was killed in a wild elephant attack in Baishari Union of Naikhongchhari upazila, Bandarban. The incident occurred around 6:45 a.m. on Saturday at Titarpara Galasira area along the Alikhyong road. According to local accounts, Salam approached the elephant to take a photograph as it crossed the road near his house. The animal became agitated by barking dogs nearby and suddenly charged at him, trampling him to death on the spot.

Salam was the sole breadwinner of his family, supporting three young children and his physically disabled father, Abdus Sattar. Following the incident, the in-charge of Baishari Police Investigation Center, Inspector Md. Anwarul Islam, visited the scene and prepared an inquest report. The tragic death has cast a pall of grief over the entire area.

The report highlights the severe impact on Salam’s family, now facing deep uncertainty after losing their only source of income.

A permanent fish sanctuary has been established in the Chithlia canal area of Parshuram, Feni, under a government initiative aimed at conserving aquatic biodiversity and promoting the breeding of native fish species. The sanctuary, located on both sides of the Shreebhanga Bridge along the Feni-Parshuram road, covers 1.4 hectares and was developed at a cost of about 40,000 taka for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Measures include bamboo fencing, red flags marking restricted zones, and tree branches placed underwater to create a safe habitat for mother fish during breeding seasons.

According to the Upazila Fisheries Department, the initiative seeks to protect endangered native fish species, ensure safe breeding environments, and restore ecological balance disrupted by overfishing, pesticide use, and natural disasters. A 12-member beneficiary group from nearby villages is maintaining the sanctuary. Local fishermen expressed optimism that proper management will help revive native fish populations.

The fisheries office also plans to establish another sanctuary on the northern side of the Bailey Bridge over the Muhuri River, pending government funding approval.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that Dhaka and surrounding areas will experience moderate to dense fog until noon on Saturday, reducing visibility across the capital. The forecast, issued for the six hours from 7 a.m., also noted that the sky may remain partly cloudy and the weather is expected to stay dry during this period.

According to the department, light winds from the west and northwest at speeds of 6 to 12 kilometers per hour may prevail. The temperature is likely to remain nearly unchanged, with 13.0 degrees Celsius recorded at 6 a.m. and humidity at 99 percent. On Friday, Dhaka’s highest temperature was 20.4 degrees Celsius, and the lowest recorded today was 12.7 degrees Celsius. No rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours.

The forecast further mentioned that sunset in Dhaka will occur at 5:24 p.m. on Saturday, while sunrise on Sunday is expected at 6:42 a.m.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has warned of multiple cold waves sweeping across the country throughout January 2026. According to its long-term forecast, two to three mild to moderate cold waves and one to two moderate to severe cold waves may occur, with temperatures in some areas expected to fall as low as 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. Northern regions and river basin areas are likely to experience the most intense cold.

The forecast, issued after a meeting of the department’s expert committee, also predicts moderate to dense fog from midnight to morning, sometimes lasting until noon. This fog is expected to reduce the difference between day and night temperatures, intensifying the overall cold sensation. Despite normal rainfall being expected for the month, no cyclones or low-pressure systems are anticipated over the Bay of Bengal.

In December, rainfall across the country was 99.3 percent below normal, and the lowest temperature recorded was 7.5 degrees Celsius in Gopalganj on December 31. The department cautioned that cold wave days could disrupt normal life even if average temperatures remain typical for the season.

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck Mexico’s southern Guerrero state on Friday morning, killing two people and triggering widespread tremors. According to the National Seismological Service, the quake’s epicenter was located 35 kilometers beneath San Marcos, about 92 kilometers from the Pacific coastal city of Acapulco. More than 500 aftershocks were recorded following the initial quake, and landslides were reported in several parts of the state.

Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado confirmed that a 50-year-old woman died when her house collapsed near the epicenter, while another person in Mexico City died after falling during a building evacuation. A hospital in the state capital, Chilpancingo, sustained structural damage, prompting the evacuation of patients. Residents and tourists in Mexico City and Acapulco rushed into the streets as the ground shook.

During a morning briefing at the National Palace, President Claudia Sheinbaum and journalists were forced to evacuate when the earthquake alarm sounded. Civil defense teams continued to assess damage and monitor aftershocks across the affected areas.

Ferry operations on the Shariatpur–Chandpur river route returned to normal on Saturday morning after being suspended overnight because of dense fog. According to the BIWTC terminal authorities, services resumed at around 10:45 a.m. when visibility improved. The suspension had begun at 1 a.m. on Friday night to prevent possible accidents amid heavy fog, causing congestion of passengers and vehicles on both sides of the river.

Md. Iqbal Hossain, deputy manager of the BIWTC Narsinghpur ferry terminal, said the decision to halt operations was taken for safety reasons as fog density increased late at night. Once conditions improved, ferry movement was restored. Currently, six ferries of various sizes are operating on the route.

With the resumption of ferry services, both passenger and cargo transport have returned to normal, easing pressure on the terminals and restoring regular movement across the Shariatpur–Chandpur route.

Ferry services on the Shariatpur–Chandpur river route were temporarily suspended early Friday, January 3, 2026, due to dense fog. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) halted operations from 1 a.m. to prevent potential accidents as visibility on the river sharply decreased. The decision was taken as a safety precaution amid worsening fog conditions overnight.

According to BIWTC’s Narsinghpur ferry terminal deputy manager Md. Iqbal Hossain, visibility on the river route dropped significantly, prompting the suspension to ensure the safety of passengers and vehicles. He confirmed that no ferry was stranded on the river and that services would resume once the fog clears.

The suspension has caused congestion at both ferry terminals, where passengers and drivers are waiting for improved weather conditions to continue their journeys.

Bangladesh is experiencing an unusually prolonged and intense cold wave, with dense fog covering much of the country and temperatures dropping sharply. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the cold conditions are expected to worsen from January 5, with mild to moderate cold waves likely in northwestern districts. On Friday, nine flights were diverted from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport due to poor visibility caused by fog, though operations later resumed as conditions improved.

Meteorologists said the persistent fog and lack of sunlight have intensified the cold, with Dhaka recording a minimum temperature of 13.3°C and Jessore 8°C. Northern regions such as Rangpur and Rajair are facing severe cold, halting work and increasing hardship for low-income workers. Health authorities confirmed at least 32 deaths in Rangpur Division from cold-related illnesses over the past week, mostly among children, women, and the elderly.

Experts attributed repeated flight diversions to the absence of a Category-2 Instrument Landing System at Dhaka airport. The cold wave has severely affected daily life, particularly for the homeless and day laborers lacking warm clothing, while fog continues to disrupt road and air transport nationwide.

The UK Met Office has confirmed that 2025 was the warmest and one of the sunniest years in the country's recorded history. According to the agency, the record reflects the clear impact of human-induced climate change. Based on data dating back to 1884, 2025 now ranks among the top three warmest years alongside 2022 and 2023, with an average annual temperature of 10.09 degrees Celsius. It was only the second time the UK’s annual average temperature exceeded 10 degrees Celsius, the first being in 2022.

The Met Office noted that four of the five warmest years since 1884 have occurred within the past five years, and all ten warmest years have been recorded in the last two decades. In addition to temperature, 2025 also set a new record for sunshine, with 1,648.5 hours of sunlight—the highest since records began in 1910 and 61.4 hours more than the previous record set in 2003.

Mark McCarthy, head of the Met Office’s climate attribution division, said the findings align with expectations from human-driven climate change and that global warming continues to influence the UK’s climate.

Ferry services on the Shariatpur-Chandpur river route have been temporarily suspended due to dense fog. According to the Narsinghpur BIWTC terminal authorities, the suspension began at 1 a.m. on Friday, January 2, to prevent possible accidents caused by poor visibility. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) confirmed the decision, citing safety concerns for vessels navigating the fog-covered river.

Md. Iqbal Hossain, Deputy Manager of the BIWTC Narsinghpur ferry terminal, stated that visibility on the river and surrounding areas had dropped significantly, increasing the risk of accidents. As a precaution, ferry movement was halted until conditions improve. He also confirmed that no ferries were stranded mid-river during the suspension.

The Shariatpur-Chandpur route is considered an important communication link for the southern region of Bangladesh, currently served by six ferries of varying sizes. Authorities said ferry operations will resume once the fog clears and visibility returns to normal levels.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that up to five cold waves may sweep across the country during January, with temperatures possibly dropping to as low as four degrees Celsius. Director Md. Mominul Islam stated that two to three of these cold waves are expected to be mild to moderate, ranging between 8–10°C and 6–8°C, while one or two could be moderate to severe, between 6–8°C and 4–6°C.

According to the forecast, no cyclones or low-pressure systems are likely to form over the Bay of Bengal this month, and the country’s major rivers are expected to maintain normal water flow. The five-day weather outlook indicates dry conditions nationwide with partly cloudy skies and widespread fog, particularly from midnight to morning, which may persist until noon in some areas.

Dense fog may temporarily disrupt air travel, inland water transport, and road communication. The mild cold wave currently affecting several districts could expand further, and temperatures in various regions are expected to drop slightly in the coming days.

Flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were disrupted on Friday due to dense fog, prompting authorities to divert several flights to ensure passenger safety. According to airport sources, nine flights were redirected to alternative airports as visibility dropped sharply in the morning.

Of the diverted flights, four were sent to Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport, four to Kolkata Airport in India, and one to Bangkok Airport in Thailand. The decision was taken as part of standard safety measures during adverse weather conditions.

Authorities later confirmed that flight operations gradually returned to normal as weather conditions improved. With visibility restored, all flights resumed regular takeoff and landing schedules at the Dhaka airport.

A severe cold wave and dense fog have paralyzed daily life in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj district. The cold weather has particularly affected day laborers, children, and the elderly, while continuous low temperatures have disrupted normal activities. Farmers are struggling to cultivate land, and livestock owners are facing difficulties protecting their animals. The dense fog, lasting from evening until noon, has reduced visibility on roads, forcing vehicles to move under risky conditions. The sun has not been visible for two days, preventing many workers from going to work.

The cold has also led to a rise in cold-related illnesses such as cough, pneumonia, and respiratory problems, especially among children and the elderly. Many patients have been admitted to the upazila health complex over the past week. Poor and homeless people are suffering acutely due to a shortage of warm clothing. Although local voluntary organizations and the upazila administration have begun distributing winter clothes, the assistance remains insufficient compared to the growing need.