A World Bank report released on November 24 warns that by 2030, around 90% of South Asia’s population will be exposed to extreme heat, while one in four people will face flood risks. The report highlights that rising salinity in water and soil will make life increasingly difficult in coastal areas. It criticizes current climate adaptation measures as low-cost and largely symbolic, noting the lack of substantial government initiatives. Jean Pem, World Bank Division Director, emphasized that Bangladesh is facing severe environmental challenges, which could worsen unless early disaster warning systems, smart agriculture, and adaptation budgets are expanded. Siddhartha Sharma, the Bank’s Chief Economist for South Asia, added that Bangladesh’s climate response remains slow, urging stronger collaboration between public and private sectors to accelerate action against the growing climate crisis.

The Directorate of Education and Engineering in Bangladesh has instructed all educational institutions to submit detailed reports on damages caused by the November 21 earthquake, which measured 5.7 on the Richter scale and originated near Narsingdi. A circular signed by Chief Engineer (acting) Md. Tarek Anwar Jahedi on November 23 directed secondary, higher, technical, and madrasa institutions to send scanned and soft copies of damage assessments by November 24. Government primary schools have also been asked to submit similar reports by November 27, including district and upazila names, number of damaged rooms, and estimated losses. The directive follows media reports indicating that several schools and colleges across multiple districts suffered structural damage during the tremor. Authorities aim to compile a comprehensive database to guide necessary repair and safety measures in affected educational facilities.

According to Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir, India dominates the list of the world’s most polluted cities, with Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai among the top five. Delhi tops the list with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 450, indicating hazardous air conditions. Kolkata follows with a score of 248, while Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranks third with a score of 232, categorized as very unhealthy. Pakistan’s Karachi is fourth with 209, and Mumbai is fifth with 198. IQAir’s scale classifies air quality between 0–50 as good, 51–100 as moderate, 101–150 as unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 as unhealthy, 201–300 as very unhealthy, and above 301 as hazardous. The data, collected on Sunday morning, highlights the severe air pollution crisis affecting major South Asian cities, posing serious health risks to millions of residents.

Heavy monsoon rains have triggered severe flooding across several Malaysian states, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. As of Monday morning, around 10,469 people have been relocated to temporary relief centers, up from about 9,000 the previous night. Kelantan is the worst-affected state, with districts such as Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Pasir Puteh, and Bachok inundated, displacing over 8,000 people. Authorities have opened 33 relief centers in the state to accommodate evacuees. In Perak, 946 residents have taken shelter across several districts, while northern regions like Kedah, Perlis, and Penang have also reported evacuations. Smaller numbers of displaced people have been reported in Terengganu and Selangor. The floods, caused by the northeast monsoon, have disrupted daily life and raised concerns about further rainfall in the coming days as emergency services continue rescue and relief operations.

Following a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that shook Dhaka, several of Dhaka University’s aging dormitories developed cracks and falling plaster, injuring around 30 students and sparking panic. The university administration has closed the campus for 15 days and ordered all residential students to vacate by November 23. Students, however, criticized the sudden move, arguing that the crisis stems from years of neglect rather than a new emergency. Dormitories including Ziaur Rahman Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall, and Shamsunnahar Hall were found to be in critical condition, with some structures reportedly leaning. BUET experts will inspect all old buildings and assess structural risks. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan announced a Tk 149 crore renovation project starting in December and a larger Tk 2,841 crore development plan to build new dormitories by 2026. Student protests briefly erupted demanding safer accommodation and suspension of the closure order.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has instructed its member factories to conduct immediate structural inspections of their buildings following a powerful earthquake that struck the country on November 21. The association warned of possible aftershocks and urged factory owners to strengthen safety measures to protect workers and assets. In a circular, BGMEA emphasized that large earthquakes can be followed by additional tremors posing serious risks to life and property. It recommended that qualified engineers examine factory structures, lifts, boiler rooms, generator rooms, and substations for any damage. The organization noted that Bangladesh’s garment sector employs a vast workforce, making structural integrity crucial for worker safety. BGMEA also highlighted that factory equipment such as lifts and generators produce regular vibrations, which could worsen existing structural weaknesses. The association called on all members to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to avoid potential accidents and casualties.

Northern Bangladesh is experiencing an early onset of winter as temperatures in Tetulia, Panchagarh, dropped to 12.6°C on Sunday, marking the lowest in the country this season. The region has seen chilly winds and dense fog from dawn to mid-morning, disrupting daily life and increasing hardship for laborers. According to the Tetulia Meteorological Office, temperatures have been steadily declining and a cold wave is expected to hit by late November, with multiple waves likely in early December, potentially bringing temperatures down to around 10°C. The cold weather has also led to a rise in cold-related illnesses among children and the elderly. Doctors at Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital report that 250–300 patients are seeking treatment daily for cold-related ailments as the region braces for an intensifying winter.

More than 2,100 people have been displaced after sudden floods struck three Malaysian states—Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu—due to ongoing monsoon rains. Kedah has recently been added to the list of affected regions, with 225 residents from 66 families taking shelter in three relief centers in Kulim district. In Kelantan, the situation has worsened, with the number of evacuees rising from 1,170 on Saturday night to 1,623 by Sunday morning. Twelve relief centers are currently operating across Kota Bharu, Tumpat, and Bachok districts, where continuous heavy rainfall has been reported since Friday. In Terengganu, conditions have slightly improved, with 264 people still sheltered at Kampung Pulau Redang Mosque relief center. Malaysia’s Meteorological Department has issued thunderstorm and heavy rain warnings for seven states, including Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka, and Sabah, urging residents in vulnerable districts to remain cautious.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Monitoring Centre has issued an early warning of a possible major earthquake following a series of mild tremors that shook Dhaka and surrounding areas within eight hours on Saturday, November 22. The warning came after a 5.7-magnitude quake struck Bangladesh on Friday, leaving experts concerned about the frequency of seismic activity. According to Dr. Mehedi Ahmed Ansari of BUET, Bangladesh has long been at high risk of earthquakes and is divided into three seismic zones, with Zone-1 being the most vulnerable. The Earthquake Monitoring Centre’s acting officer, Rubaiyat Kabir, urged preparedness and vigilance. Global data from Earthquaketracker.com reported 91 quakes worldwide in the past 24 hours and 852 over the last week, underscoring heightened global seismic activity. The local tremors measured between 3.3 and 4.3 magnitudes, with epicenters near Narsingdi’s Palash area, about 29 kilometers northeast of Dhaka.

Bangladesh’s interim government has ordered a temporary suspension of all oil and gas well drilling operations for 48 hours due to earthquake risk concerns. The directive, issued by Energy Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan on Sunday, follows a meeting at the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources. Petrobangla’s public relations official Tarikul Islam confirmed that while drilling and seismic survey activities will remain suspended until Tuesday, gas supply across the country will continue as usual. Currently, Bangladesh has 29 gas fields, with active drilling at three sites—Srikail in Comilla’s Muradnagar, Habiganj Gas Field, and Kailashtila under Sylhet Gas Field—all of which have halted operations immediately after the earthquake. Authorities emphasized that the measure is precautionary to ensure safety and prevent potential hazards during ongoing seismic instability.

Bangladesh authorities have cautioned citizens against spreading or believing social media rumors about impending earthquakes, describing the phenomenon as an 'earthquake infodemic.' Experts explain that such 'good-intention rumors' often spread when people forward unverified messages to alert others, but these can cause serious harm. The government warns that false alerts lead to three major risks: ignoring real warnings, triggering panic and accidents, and misusing emergency services. Citizens are urged to rely only on official sources such as the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), and Google Earthquake Alerts for accurate information. The Cyber Security Act allows legal action against those who deliberately spread false information that causes public panic. Authorities emphasize verifying any message before sharing it and following official updates to ensure safety during seismic events.

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Indonesia’s eastern North Maluku province, specifically in the Halmahera region, according to the country’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG). The quake’s epicenter was located about 10 kilometers beneath the surface. Authorities confirmed that no casualties or property damage have been reported so far. Indonesia, situated along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its tectonic location. The tremor follows a recent 5.7-magnitude earthquake in Bangladesh that killed at least ten people, with several aftershocks recorded the following day. Experts suggest that the recent seismic activities in the region highlight the ongoing vulnerability of countries located within the Pacific and South Asian seismic belts.

A series of earthquakes over two consecutive days in Palash upazila of Narsingdi, Bangladesh, have caused significant damage, including cracks in the historic Ghorashal railway bridge built during the British era. The first tremor occurred on Friday, November 21, at 10:38 a.m., resulting in two fatalities and structural damage to both public and private buildings. Cracks appeared in the bridge’s second and third pillars, raising safety concerns among passengers and residents, as at least 16 pairs of trains use the bridge daily. Following the incident, railway officials and the Palash upazila administration inspected the site on Saturday, November 22. Local residents have urged authorities to take immediate measures to ensure the bridge’s safety. Officials confirmed that the damage has been reported to the railway authorities for further assessment and necessary action.

Gas supply in parts of Narayanganj’s Fatullah area has been disrupted after a Titas Gas distribution pipeline burst during construction work on the Panchabati-Muktarpur flyover. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the BISIC Shashangao area when workers were laying the foundation for the flyover. According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company’s regional deputy general manager Mamunur Rashid, a 12-inch underground pipeline was damaged and requires excavation for repair. Gas supply had already been reduced for maintenance, but full restoration remains uncertain as repair work continues. Authorities have not provided a specific timeline for completion. Similar incidents have occurred previously during the same project, causing inconvenience to residents and affecting production in nearby industries dependent on gas supply.

Tropical Cyclone Fina struck Darwin, the capital of Australia's Northern Territory, with wind speeds reaching up to 205 km/h, prompting the closure of Darwin International Airport and widespread safety warnings. The Category 3 storm, which hit late Saturday, began moving away on Sunday but left behind damaged homes and infrastructure. Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors and avoid downed power lines as emergency crews assess the situation. The Power and Water Corporation said it is still unclear how many people are without electricity. The storm has revived memories of Cyclone Tracy in 1974, which devastated Darwin and killed 66 people. Although no serious injuries have been reported, heavy rain and strong winds continue to disrupt daily life. Meteorologists warn that Category 3 cyclones can cause significant damage to vegetation, crops, and weak structures, as well as prolonged power interruptions.