Adverse weather conditions caused major flight disruptions at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. From early morning, several international and domestic flights were cancelled, diverted, or delayed for hours, leaving passengers facing significant inconvenience. The airport’s public relations officer, Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, confirmed the disruptions in an official press release.

According to airport sources, Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-138 from Madinah was diverted to Dhaka instead of landing in Chattogram at 9:40 a.m. It later returned to Chattogram at 2:01 p.m. and departed again for Dhaka at 3:20 p.m. US-Bangla Airlines flight BS-342 from Dubai to Dhaka via Chattogram departed for Dhaka at 3:09 p.m. after a four-and-a-half-hour delay, while its BS-105 flight on the Dhaka–Chattogram–Dhaka route was cancelled. Flydubai’s FDB-564 flight from Chattogram to Dubai also departed nearly three hours late at 12:16 p.m.

Airport authorities stated that poor runway visibility and safety concerns prompted the schedule changes and cancellations, and they are monitoring the situation continuously.

Ferry and other vessel operations on the Daulatdia-Paturia river route between Rajbari’s Daulatdia and Manikganj’s Paturia resumed at noon on Tuesday after being suspended for one hour due to stormy weather and strong winds. Authorities halted all river traffic from around 11:15 a.m. as rough currents and large waves made navigation risky. Operations were restored at 12:00 p.m. when weather conditions improved.

According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) sources, the resumption allowed vehicles that had been waiting to gradually cross the river, bringing relief to passengers. The BIWTC Daulatdia terminal’s assistant manager (commerce), Jesanul Islam Topu, confirmed that ferry services were suspended due to adverse weather and restarted once conditions became favorable.

The temporary suspension caused brief congestion at the terminals, but normal ferry movement resumed shortly after the weather stabilized.

Heavy rainfall hit Dhaka and several other parts of Bangladesh on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, causing major disruptions for people returning home during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. Continuous rain led to waterlogging and muddy conditions at cattle markets, severely affecting both buyers and sellers. Despite the difficulties, livestock trading continued amid the downpour.

According to the weather forecast issued at noon, Dhaka and nearby areas were expected to experience partly cloudy skies with temporary rain or thunderstorms. Winds from the west or northwest could reach speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour. The city recorded 80 millimeters of rainfall in the past 24 hours. Normal wind flow was reported from the south or southeast at 10 to 15 kilometers per hour, with occasional gusts reaching 30 to 40 kilometers per hour.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department stated that daytime temperatures would remain nearly unchanged, with a minimum of 22 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 32.5 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity stood at 96 percent, and sunset was expected at 6:39 p.m.

As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, Bangladesh witnesses widespread cruelty in the transport and slaughter of sacrificial animals despite having clear animal welfare laws. Cattle, buffalo, and goats are often packed tightly into trucks, deprived of food and water, and subjected to harsh handling during long journeys to urban markets. The 2019 Animal Welfare Act and the 2021 Meat Quality Control Regulations mandate humane transport conditions, including adequate space, rest, and prohibition of mixed-species transport, but enforcement remains weak.

Experts note that violations of these laws are rampant, with overloading, tied limbs, and neglect of animal health common across highways and markets. Such practices not only breach legal and religious obligations but also pose risks to public health and food safety. The law prescribes up to six months’ imprisonment or fines for cruelty, yet field-level implementation is minimal.

Veterinary experts and academics urge stronger monitoring, mobile courts, and public awareness campaigns through media, schools, and mosques to promote humane treatment. They emphasize that compassion toward animals is both a legal and moral duty, essential for public health and social ethics.

A new study led by Professor Chengshan Wang of the China University of Geosciences has found that rivers originating from the Himalayas are rapidly altering their courses as a result of glacier melt and global warming. The research, published on May 14 in the journal Science, analyzed satellite images from 1980 to 2020 and conducted field observations across several river basins. The findings indicate that warming and glacial retreat are significantly affecting the flow patterns of major Himalayan rivers.

The study examined 1,582 kilometers of river channels and 1,079 river bends, revealing that between 1980 and 2020, the courses of Himalayan rivers changed 33 percent more than before, with unconfined bends showing up to 97 percent change. Researchers observed both cut-offs and avulsions, where rivers abandoned old paths for shorter or entirely new routes. The analysis also found that the rate of temperature increase in the Himalayas was double the global average, intensifying glacier melt and weakening frozen ground along riverbanks.

According to the study, these shifts could heighten the risks of flooding and erosion across the region, affecting millions who depend on these rivers for sustenance and livelihoods.

Launch operations from the Sadarghat terminal in Dhaka have been temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions. The Ministry of Shipping confirmed the suspension in a message to the media on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The decision follows reports of strong winds and heavy rainfall affecting river transport in the region.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) had also halted ferry and launch services on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat routes because of the same weather conditions. The authorities took these measures to ensure passenger safety and prevent accidents during the ongoing rough weather.

The suspension is expected to remain in place until weather conditions improve, though no specific timeline for resumption has been announced.

Continuous heavy rainfall on Tuesday morning caused severe waterlogging in the Mirpur 10 intersection area of Dhaka. The downpour began around 11:30 a.m., submerging parts of the road and creating major traffic disruptions. Commuters faced significant difficulties as vehicles struggled to move through knee-deep water.

The flooding slowed down buses, CNG auto-rickshaws, and motorcycles, while several vehicles were seen stranded in the water. The situation led to widespread inconvenience for residents and travelers in the area. The report highlights the immediate impact of the rainfall on transportation and public movement in one of the capital’s busiest zones.

The incident underscores Dhaka’s recurring problem of waterlogging during heavy rains, which continues to affect urban mobility and daily activities whenever intense rainfall occurs.

A mild earthquake was felt across several regions of Bangladesh, including Dhaka, on Tuesday at 11:41 a.m. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) confirmed the tremor, reporting a magnitude of 3.6 on the Richter scale and a depth of 10 kilometers. The Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation and Research Center also recorded the event, noting a slightly lower magnitude of 3.4 and describing it as a minor quake with no cause for concern.

Experts cited in the report explained that Bangladesh lies in a seismically active zone near the junction of three tectonic plates, making occasional earthquakes a normal occurrence. However, they noted a recent increase in seismic activity across the country, particularly in the southwestern region, which was previously considered a low-risk area.

Authorities did not report any damage or casualties, and officials reassured the public that the tremor posed no immediate threat.

A strong earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Chile on Monday, according to the National Seismological Center of the University of Chile. The quake occurred at 5:52 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 12 kilometers south of Calama city. Initial reports indicated that there were no casualties or major damage following the tremor.

Chile frequently experiences seismic activity due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The ongoing collision between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates is the main cause of the country’s regular earthquakes of varying intensities. Historical data show that since 1570, Chile has experienced nearly 100 major earthquakes, about 30 of which had magnitudes of 8 or higher.

According to the national emergency and disaster risk management department, Chile faces at least one earthquake of magnitude 8 or greater every decade on average, underscoring the country’s high seismic vulnerability.

A sudden nor'wester storm struck Chandpur on Monday afternoon, killing one person and injuring ten others. The storm caused two passenger launches to collide near the Chandpur launch terminal, disrupting river transport on the Dhaka–Chandpur route. Witnesses said a tree fell on a moving CNG auto-rickshaw at Chandra Chourasta, killing 60-year-old Helal instantly. Several launches, pontoons, and jetties at the terminal were also damaged by the strong winds.

During the storm, the passenger launch ‘Mayur-2’ lost control and hit another vessel, ‘Eagle-7’, as it was docking. Panic spread among passengers, leading to a rush to disembark, during which several people, including women and children, were injured. Some of the injured were taken to Chandpur General Hospital for treatment.

Fire service, coast guard, and police personnel quickly launched rescue and safety operations, moving passengers to safety and restoring order. According to BIWTA officials, two launches and several port structures were damaged, and repair work is underway to ease passenger suffering.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has announced an extensive plan to ensure a clean and joyful Eid-ul-Azha for city residents. At a press conference held at the National Eidgah on Monday, DSCC detailed preparations for the main Eid congregation and waste management operations. The main Eid prayer will take place at 7:30 a.m. at the National Eidgah, with an alternative arrangement at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque if weather conditions are unfavorable. Facilities such as air conditioning, water, sanitation, and medical services have been arranged, along with tight security coordination.

For waste management, DSCC will begin transporting sacrificial waste from the Kalabagan STS to the Matuail landfill at 1:30 p.m. on Eid day, aiming to complete removal within eight hours by 9:30 p.m. An estimated 33,942 tons of waste will be generated over three days, handled by 13,453 personnel and 117 vehicles. The corporation is distributing disinfectants and biodegradable bags across 75 wards and will monitor operations through a central control room.

DSCC has urged residents to dispose of waste only at designated spots and maintain cleanliness by using disinfectants after sacrifices.

Local residents in Jamalpur blocked the Jamalpur-Tangail highway on Monday afternoon demanding a permanent solution to waterlogging that has persisted for 19 years. The protest took place near the district bus terminal and the BSCIC office, causing severe traffic congestion on both sides of the highway. Participants from at least five affected areas, including Doripara and Dapuniya, alleged that around 500 acres of farmland and numerous homes have been damaged over the years, yet authorities have failed to take effective action.

According to the report, the residents had also blocked the highway the previous day but withdrew after receiving assurances from the administration. When no visible steps followed, they resumed their protest. Police arrived to control the situation but were turned back by demonstrators. Later, local political and human rights representatives intervened, promising swift action, after which the protesters lifted the blockade. A brief period of unrest occurred during the event.

In a separate incident, residents of Shekher Vita area blocked the Jamalpur-Madarganj road over similar waterlogging issues, ending their protest after municipal officials pledged remedial measures.

Seventeen years after Cyclone Aila struck on May 25, 2009, the coastal residents of Satkhira in southwestern Bangladesh continue to suffer from its long-lasting devastation. The cyclone destroyed homes, farmland, and fisheries, leaving thousands destitute. In Gabura Union of Shyamnagar upazila, one of the worst-hit areas, at least 39 people died and over 243,000 were displaced. Many families still live on government land near embankments, facing acute shortages of drinking water and employment.

Repeated cyclones such as Amphan in 2020, Bulbul, and Rimal in 2024 have deepened the crisis, with May now seen as a month of fear for coastal communities. Despite ongoing embankment repairs, many areas remain at risk of collapse. Around 30–35 percent of residents in Gabura and Padmapukur unions have become landless, and over 500 families live on river chars. Local leaders report that most roads damaged by Aila remain unrestored.

Authorities have declared Gabura a model union, with a 10.2 billion taka project underway to build sustainable embankments and promote afforestation. Yet residents question how many more disasters must come before their lives become secure.

More than one million taka worth of teak trees have been stolen from Satchari National Park in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj. Witnesses reported that two large teak trees were recently taken from the Dumurtola area, while similar thefts occurred a month earlier in Kapai, Kunimora, and Telmachhra areas. Despite repeated incidents, forest officials have been accused of inaction, with reports suggesting that they only file general diaries instead of taking effective measures.

The report alleges that a coordinated syndicate involving forest officials, police, and timber thieves is behind the illegal logging and smuggling of valuable trees. The smugglers reportedly maintain secret communication with law enforcement through messaging apps. Although there were recent gunfights between forest guards and bandits in the nearby Rema-Kalenga forest, police have not taken significant action, leading to public frustration and fear.

Forest range officer Mehedi Hasan said two trees were stolen in the past four months and that cases have been filed with investigations ongoing. Environmental activists warned that continued tree theft threatens biodiversity and ecological balance in Satchari.

A three-month-old infant was killed and five members of the same family were injured when lightning struck their home in Sajek Union of Baghaichhari upazila, Rangamati, early Monday around 3:30 a.m. The incident occurred in the Dane Baibachhara area during a sudden storm and heavy rain. The lightning directly hit the house of Pradeep Chakma, causing the death of his infant child, Ujjal Chakma, on the spot.

The injured family members were identified as Pradeep Chakma, 65, Maya Rani, 48, Reshmi Chakma, 28, Jerin Chakma, 15, and Nijhum Chakma, 3. Locals rescued the injured around 7 a.m. and took them to Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital for treatment. The Rangamati Superintendent of Police confirmed the death and injuries caused by the lightning strike.

Authorities have not provided further details on the condition of the injured or any additional damage caused by the incident.