Meteorologists have confirmed that a low-pressure system formed over the Andaman Sea on November 22 has intensified into Cyclone Shen-Yar by November 26. The storm, named by the United Arab Emirates meaning 'lion' in Arabic, is currently located near the Malacca Strait and is expected to move westward. Another low-pressure system has also developed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent Sri Lankan coast, which may strengthen into a cyclone within 24 hours. However, weather experts have assured that neither Shen-Yar nor the developing Bay of Bengal system poses any threat to Bangladesh. Instead, the latter may head toward India’s Tamil Nadu coast around December 2 or 3. Experts attribute the recent cyclone formations to the sun’s southern movement, which has caused intense heating and instability in the southern parts of the Andaman and Bay of Bengal regions.

The United States Department of the Interior has announced a new fee policy that will require non-US residents to pay $100 per person to enter the country’s 11 most-visited national parks starting in 2026. The annual parks pass for foreign visitors will also increase from $80 to $250. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the move, backed by President Donald Trump, aims to prioritize American families while ensuring international visitors contribute to park maintenance. The affected parks include the Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. The policy comes amid broader budget concerns, as the Trump administration has proposed cuts to the National Park Service, including a previously suggested $1 billion reduction. The National Parks Conservation Association reported that the service has already lost 4,000 staff members this year due to financial constraints, and potential further cuts could impact operations in 2026. The new fees are part of an effort to balance funding shortfalls while maintaining park accessibility for US taxpayers.

Several buildings at the Ghorashal-Palash Urea Fertilizer Factory in Narsingdi have developed cracks following the strong earthquakes on November 21 and 22. The damage has sparked fear among residents and workers of the South Asian fertilizer giant, which is currently undergoing major reconstruction. Contractors Toma Construction and Messrs Jamal & Company were engaged in multi-phase projects worth over Tk 370 crore, with about half the work completed. Officials claim the cracks are superficial and not structural, but residents question construction quality and safety. A committee led by Additional Chemist Saifuddin Mohammad Tarek has been formed to assess the damage and determine whether affected buildings should be declared unsafe. Local authorities have already evacuated some residential blocks deemed risky. The earthquake also damaged nearby infrastructure, including parts of the Ghorashal power plant, a railway bridge, and local government buildings, prompting emergency disaster management meetings to restore public confidence.

Northern Bangladesh, particularly Tetulia, is experiencing a sharp drop in temperature as winter begins to set in. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature in Tetulia was recorded at 13°C on Wednesday morning, with humidity at 97%. The previous days also saw temperatures hovering around 12.8°C to 13.4°C, signaling the onset of winter. Meteorologists predict that the first cold wave of the season may arrive in early December if sea conditions remain stable. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area or cyclone may form over the Bay of Bengal in late November, potentially bringing rainfall and rough seas. Fishermen along coastal areas have been advised to remain cautious. Experts note that while November’s remaining days may not see a significant increase in cold intensity, the true winter chill is expected to begin in December.

At the closing ceremony of the 'Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries' project in Dhaka, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter emphasized the urgent need for an integrated plan focusing on Bangladesh’s coastal and deep-sea areas. She warned that unplanned fishing has reduced marine fish stocks and that both declining coastal catches and limited deep-sea access are alarming. Akhter highlighted Bangladesh’s vast potential in marine fisheries and stressed the importance of continuing project activities under the government’s revenue budget even after World Bank funding ends on November 28. She also called for greater recognition and inclusion of women fishers, noting that only 4% currently hold fisher cards. Referring to her experience at COP-30, she underscored climate change as a major factor affecting marine fisheries and urged that it be prioritized in future planning. The event was attended by senior officials, including the Director General of the Department of Fisheries and the ministry’s secretary.

Gas supply in Narayanganj returned to normal after nearly 60 hours of disruption caused by a pipeline rupture during bridge foundation work at Shashangaon in Fatullah. The 12-inch diameter Titas Gas pipeline was damaged while boring for the Panchaboti-Muktarpur flyover bridge, forcing authorities to halt supply from Saturday evening until Tuesday morning. The repair was completed around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, after which gas distribution resumed. The interruption severely affected both industrial operations and household users in the area. According to Titas Gas officials, the repair took longer due to the high-risk location—adjacent to a two-story building and an electric pole—and the pipeline being buried 24 feet underground in muddy soil. Extra caution and safety measures were required to prevent further hazards, which extended the repair duration, said Rajib Kumar Saha, Deputy Managing Director of Titas Gas Narayanganj region.

Bangladesh’s agricultural land is shrinking rapidly due to urbanization, industrialization, and unplanned development, according to interim government Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter. Speaking at a national workshop on agricultural land protection and land use in Dhaka, she warned that chemical-based farming is degrading soil fertility and harming overall production. Akhter also highlighted that excessive pesticide and herbicide use is damaging not only farmland but also fisheries and livestock sectors. She noted that while aquaculture has increased fish production, pollution, landfilling, and uncontrolled tourism are destroying natural breeding grounds, endangering native fish diversity. Experts at the workshop said agriculture still contributes 11% to the GDP and remains the main livelihood for rural people, but the country is losing about 80,000 hectares of farmland annually. They urged effective implementation of proposed land protection laws to safeguard agricultural resources. The event was organized by the Bangladesh Agroecology Platform with participation from multiple ministries and stakeholders.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted for the first time in about 12,000 years, sending a massive ash plume 14 kilometers high. The eruption, which lasted several hours, blanketed nearby Afdera town in ash and caused mild tremors around Erta Ale. The Smithsonian Institution confirmed no previous Holocene-era eruptions from this volcano. The ash cloud traveled across the Red Sea, reaching Yemen, Oman, India, northern Pakistan, and even parts of China’s upper atmosphere. Local authorities reported no casualties, though the eruption may affect the livelihoods of pastoral communities in the region. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) and India Met Sky Weather noted temporary disruptions to flights over northern India, which have since normalized. Experts say the volcano lies within the tectonically active Rift Valley, where two plates meet, making it a hotspot for geological activity.

Bangladesh, particularly Dhaka and Chattogram, remains at extreme risk of a major earthquake, with experts warning that a quake above magnitude 7 could cause catastrophic damage. The Fire Service and Civil Defence Department has improved its capabilities in recent years, introducing modern search and rescue tools such as acoustic listening devices, snake-eye cameras, and drones. However, investigations reveal that preparedness remains inadequate due to outdated equipment, bureaucratic delays, and manpower shortages. Nearly 800 rescue tools have become unusable, and new equipment procurement is progressing slowly. The department has fewer than 15,000 personnel across 500 stations, far below international standards. To address this, over 55,000 urban community volunteers have been trained to assist in early rescue operations. Yet, narrow roads, lack of heavy machinery, and absence of air rescue capacity pose serious challenges. While new command centers and special rescue units are being formed, experts stress that only coordinated, decentralized, and well-equipped efforts can ensure effective disaster response.

Experts have revealed that around 70% of buildings in Chattogram are at high risk of collapse in the event of a major earthquake measuring 7–8 on the Richter scale. Poor construction practices, lack of soil testing, weak foundations, and extreme population density have made the city dangerously vulnerable. Unplanned areas such as Reazuddin Bazar, Khatunganj, New Market, and Bahaddarhat are particularly at risk. Despite previous warnings and incidents, including the 1997 Hamzarbag building collapse that killed 23 people, authorities like the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) have failed to take effective action. A recent 5.7-magnitude quake caused panic across the city, highlighting the fragility of many structures. Experts also warned that vital installations such as the port, airport, and refineries could face severe damage. Fire Service officials cautioned that even moderate tremors could cause catastrophic casualties due to old and unregulated buildings. Urban planners and disaster experts have urged immediate enforcement of building codes and stronger preparedness measures.

In Sitakunda’s Syedpur union of Chattogram, villagers used mosque loudspeakers to mobilize and chase away two Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, Jasim Uddin and former commissioner Rehan Uddin Rihan, who allegedly attempted to fill around 100 acres of farmland with sand from the sea. The land, reportedly purchased by Awami League leader and Pacific Jeans managing director Syed Tanvir Hossain, was being prepared for industrial use without environmental clearance. Hundreds of villagers gathered, dismantled sand pipes, and forced the group to flee, leaving several injured. Local farmers and political leaders condemned the destruction of winter crops and demanded government intervention. The district Jamaat leadership denied involvement, claiming the accused acted independently. Sitakunda’s Upazila Nirbahi Officer confirmed no permission was granted for sand extraction and promised legal action against those responsible. The incident has sparked widespread outrage over environmental damage and land misuse in the coastal area.

Iran’s northern Mazandaran province has been battling a massive wildfire for over a week in the ancient Hyrcanian forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Firefighters and local residents have managed to bring about 80 percent of the blaze under control, according to officials. The fire, reportedly caused by human activity rather than natural factors, has already burned around 1,500 acres, as confirmed by NASA satellite imagery. The Hyrcanian forest, stretching along the Caspian Sea’s southern coast, is one of the world’s oldest and most biodiverse forests, home to rare species like the Persian leopard. No casualties or damage to nearby settlements have been reported so far. The wildfire coincides with Iran’s worst drought in 60 years, which has forced authorities to ration water in Tehran and other regions. Additional fires have also been reported near Jolfa in southwestern Iran, raising concerns about worsening environmental conditions across the country.

Dhaka University (DU) has formed a Central Coordination Committee and four sub-committees to inspect and evaluate the structural safety of its residential halls and academic buildings following a recent earthquake. The central committee, headed by DU Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, was established after an emergency meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan. The sub-committees, comprising experts from BUET’s Civil Engineering Department, will conduct technical inspections and assessments of the buildings. Their findings will be made public, and detailed reports will be preserved by the university’s engineering office and respective halls. If any building is deemed unsafe, students will be relocated to safer facilities. The committees include university officials, hall provosts, engineers, and representatives from the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU). The initiative aims to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the university’s infrastructure in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Sylhet District Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam has announced an immediate initiative to demolish 23 buildings identified as highly risky in the city’s earthquake-prone zones. The decision follows renewed fears after recent tremors and years of inaction by the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC), which had earlier marked these structures as dangerous nearly six years ago. The meeting, chaired by Divisional Commissioner Khan Md. Reza-un-Nabi, focused on earthquake preparedness and post-disaster response. Officials and experts discussed evacuation challenges, especially in narrow streets that could hinder rescue operations. The risky buildings include government offices, markets, schools, and residential structures. Experts from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology warned that most of Sylhet’s 42,000 buildings are not earthquake-resistant, with 60–65% built without following proper construction codes. The SCC has formed a committee to review renovation and demolition plans, with authorities emphasizing urgent action to prevent potential disasters and ensure public safety.

A low-pressure system formed over the Andaman Sea and the Malacca Strait is intensifying and is expected to develop into Cyclone 'Seniyar' within the next 48 hours, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Early warnings have been issued for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. The cyclone, named 'Seniyar' meaning 'lion'—a name given by the United Arab Emirates—is projected to move west-northwest, but its landfall location remains uncertain. The IMD forecasts that the system will become a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal by Monday and may strengthen further. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department has indicated the possible formation of another low-pressure area over the southern Andaman Sea, which could also intensify. Both Indian and Bangladeshi forecasts suggest stable weather in most regions, except for light rain in northern Bengal’s hilly areas. No major temperature changes are expected across Bangladesh and West Bengal in the coming days.