Bangladesh faces a severe earthquake threat due to the Ganges-Brahmaputra megathrust fault, which could trigger a magnitude 9 quake, experts warned at a seminar in Dhaka organized by JCX Developments Limited. Local and international geologists, architects, and engineers highlighted that the country lies at the junction of three active tectonic plates—Indian, Myanmar, and Eurasian—making it highly vulnerable. Over 200 earthquakes have been recorded in the past century, with increased activity since 2024. Specialists emphasized that the accumulated energy in the subduction zone from Sylhet to Teknaf remains unreleased for nearly a millennium. Japanese experts shared lessons from Japan’s earthquake-resistant architecture and urged stronger building codes, structural audits, and emergency preparedness. Participants called for coordinated efforts between government and private sectors to build resilience through awareness, drills, and technological readiness. Rapid urbanization, dense population, and weak infrastructure were identified as major risk factors that could worsen the impact of a major quake.

Sri Lanka has declared a nationwide state of emergency after relentless rains caused by Cyclone Ditwah led to catastrophic flooding across the island. At least 132 people have died and 176 remain missing, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). More than 15,000 homes have been destroyed, and over 78,000 residents have been relocated to emergency shelters. The military, navy, and air force are conducting joint rescue operations, including a 24-hour mission in Anuradhapura that saved 69 passengers, among them a German tourist. Central districts such as Badulla and Kandy have been severely affected, with roads and bridges washed away, isolating many villages. Power and water supplies have been disrupted in about one-third of the country, and communication networks remain unstable. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government has appealed for international assistance and urged Sri Lankans abroad to send financial aid. Meanwhile, Cyclone Ditwah is moving north toward India, prompting flight cancellations in Chennai and warnings of heavy rain and strong winds.

An endangered Palash fish eagle was rescued by the Forest Department in Satkania, Chattogram, after it was found injured from an electric shock. The bird reportedly came into contact with a high-voltage power line while flying over a pond in the Uttar Chadaha area on Saturday morning, causing it to fall into the water. Locals promptly informed forest officials, who arrived at the scene and rescued the eagle. The injured bird was later transferred to Dulahazara Safari Park in Cox’s Bazar for medical treatment. According to Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary Beat Officer Chanchal Kumar Tarafdar, the Palash fish eagle is a large brown sea eagle species that primarily hunts aquatic fish and is identifiable by a distinctive white band on its tail. The species is considered endangered in Bangladesh and plays a vital role in maintaining the country’s ecological balance and biodiversity.

Cyclone Ditwah has caused severe devastation in Sri Lanka, leaving at least 123 people dead and 130 missing as it moves north-northwest over the southwestern Bay of Bengal. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued distant warning signal No. 2 for the country’s four major seaports—Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra—advising all fishing boats and trawlers to remain near the coast and avoid deep-sea operations until further notice. As of Saturday morning, the cyclone was located about 1,880 kilometers southwest of Chattogram and 1,750 kilometers southwest of Mongla. Winds near the cyclone’s center are reaching sustained speeds of 62 km/h, with gusts up to 88 km/h, making the sea very rough. Sri Lanka continues to experience heavy rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters in some areas, along with strong winds and flooding. Regional authorities are monitoring the storm’s movement closely as it continues to track toward the northern Bay of Bengal.

At least 56 people have been killed and 21 remain missing after Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka, triggering severe flooding and landslides across the island. Heavy rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters in several regions has caused widespread destruction, particularly in the eastern and central districts. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that 21 people died in a landslide in the tea-producing district of Badulla. Over 44,000 people have been affected nationwide, with homes destroyed and many residents stranded. Schools, colleges, and universities have been closed, and several international flights have been canceled. Authorities have issued a red alert for low-lying areas along the Kelani River, including parts of the capital Colombo, urging residents to move to higher ground. Rescue operations are ongoing, though access to remote areas remains difficult due to continuous heavy rain and damaged infrastructure.

Severe floods and landslides have claimed more than 300 lives across Indonesia and Thailand, with both nations struggling to recover from the widespread destruction. In Indonesia’s Sumatra region, at least 174 people have died and 80 remain missing after torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides. North Sumatra alone reported 116 deaths, while Aceh and West Sumatra recorded 35 and 23 fatalities respectively. Rescue efforts continue as many areas remain cut off and power restoration is underway. In Thailand, southern provinces have been hit by record rainfall, leaving at least 145 people dead, including over 110 in Songkhla province. Thousands have been displaced, and authorities are accelerating search and recovery operations as floodwaters begin to recede. Despite some improvement in weather conditions, the Thai Meteorological Department has warned of possible thunderstorms in several southern regions, raising concerns about further hazards.

At least 84 people have been killed and dozens remain missing after severe floods and landslides struck Indonesia’s Sumatra island this week. Rescue teams confirmed the toll on Friday, with North Sumatra province reporting 62 deaths and 95 injuries, while West Sumatra recorded 22 deaths and 12 missing persons. The city of Sibolga has been among the hardest hit, with over 30 fatalities. Ongoing heavy rains have hampered rescue operations, cutting off access to several areas. Authorities are focusing on evacuating residents and delivering relief supplies, though poor weather and damaged infrastructure have slowed progress. In Aceh province, about 1,500 people have been displaced and power outages reported after flooding and landslides. Indonesia’s state electricity company is working to restore power after a transmission tower collapse. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying monsoon storms, prolonging rainy seasons, and increasing the frequency of flash floods across the region.

Cyclone Ditwah, currently positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent to the Sri Lankan coast, is moving in a north-northwesterly direction, according to a special bulletin issued by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Friday morning. At 6 a.m., the cyclone was located about 1,955 km southwest of Chattogram, 1,900 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar, 1,845 km southwest of Mongla, and 1,840 km southwest of Payra seaports. Within 54 km of the cyclone’s center, sustained wind speeds reached 62 km/h, with gusts up to 88 km/h, causing very rough sea conditions. Authorities have advised Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra ports to keep hoisted distant cautionary signal No. 2. Fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal have been instructed not to venture into the deep sea until further notice as the system continues to intensify and move northward.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that Cyclone Ditwah, currently located over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lankan coast, is moving north-northwestward. As of Friday morning, the cyclone was positioned about 1,955 km southwest of Chattogram port, 1,900 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar, 1,845 km southwest of Mongla, and 1,840 km southwest of Payra. Within 54 km of the cyclone’s center, maximum sustained wind speeds reached 62 km/h, with gusts up to 88 km/h, making the sea very rough near the system. Authorities have advised Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra seaports to continue hoisting distant warning signal No. 2. Fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal have been instructed to remain close to shore and avoid deep-sea ventures until further notice as the cyclone continues its movement toward the north-northwest.

At least seven people have been killed in a devastating landslide on the French Pacific island of Tahiti following a week of continuous heavy rainfall. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the casualties on Thursday, noting that several others remain missing. The landslide struck early Wednesday morning in an eastern village, destroying numerous homes and prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation. Authorities temporarily suspended rescue efforts due to the risk of a second landslide but have since resumed operations. The French government expressed condolences to the victims' families and pledged full support for recovery efforts. Tahiti, though geographically distant, is an overseas territory under French administration, and the incident has drawn national attention in France as well as international concern over the increasing frequency of climate-related natural disasters in the Pacific region.

Bangladesh experienced several mild earthquakes over the past week, including a magnitude 4 tremor in the Bay of Bengal on November 26. A day later, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia, though no major tsunami followed. Experts say Bangladesh faces limited tsunami risk unless a powerful quake occurs near the Andaman or Nicobar Islands. The country lies at the junction of two tectonic plates stretching from Chattogram-Arakan to the Andaman region. Historical records show a major 8.5 magnitude quake off the Arakan coast in 1962 caused a significant tsunami, but such events are rare, with recurrence intervals of 500–900 years. Meteorologists note that while small undersea quakes are frequent, they rarely cause damage. Bangladesh’s funnel-shaped coastline could amplify tsunami effects from distant sources, but the greater current concern is strong inland earthquakes rather than tsunamis.

A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lankan coast has intensified into Cyclone Ditwah, according to a special weather bulletin issued on Thursday, November 27. The storm was located about 1,935 to 2,040 kilometers southwest of Bangladesh’s major sea ports—Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra—and is moving north-northwestward. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has advised these ports to replace distant cautionary signal No. 1 with distant warning signal No. 2. Within 54 kilometers of the cyclone’s center, maximum sustained winds are reported at 62 km/h, gusting up to 88 km/h, with very rough sea conditions prevailing nearby. All fishing boats and trawlers operating in the northern Bay of Bengal have been instructed to remain close to shore and avoid deep-sea ventures until further notice.

Ghorashal in Narsingdi district experienced four earthquakes within a single week, sparking fear among residents though no casualties or damage have been reported. The most recent tremor occurred on Thursday, November 27, at 4:15 p.m., registering a magnitude of 3.6 on the Richter scale. The first and strongest quake, measuring 5.7, struck on November 21, followed by two more on Saturday morning and evening, each measuring 4.3. The repeated tremors caused people in Ghorashal, Palash, and nearby areas to rush out of homes and offices in panic. According to the Meteorological Department, all four quakes originated in Narsingdi, with the latest epicenter located in Ghorashal itself. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious but assured that there is no immediate cause for alarm as monitoring continues.

At least 31 people have died and 14 others remain missing in Sri Lanka following severe floods and landslides triggered by continuous heavy rainfall this week, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The worst-hit area is the hilly Badulla district, where 16 people were killed after being buried by landslides, while four more deaths occurred in nearby Nuwara Eliya. More than 400 homes have been submerged, affecting over 4,000 people across 17 districts. Authorities have evacuated over 1,100 families to temporary shelters and issued red alerts for landslides in eight mountainous districts. The DMC warned that river levels are rising rapidly and urged residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground. The government has suspended national examinations for two days due to the extreme weather. Meteorologists attribute the intensified rainfall to a low-pressure system over the island’s east, with some regions recording over 300 millimeters of rain. Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency of such disasters in the country.

Bangladesh experienced three mild to moderate earthquakes within a span of 13 hours, according to the country's earthquake monitoring center. The first tremor occurred around 3:29 a.m. near Teknaf, originating 118 kilometers offshore in the Bay of Bengal, with a magnitude of 4.0. Just a minute later, at 3:30 a.m., another quake measuring 3.4 struck Sylhet, though most residents did not feel it. The third and final quake was recorded at 4:15 p.m. in Narsingdi’s Ghorashal area, registering a magnitude of 3.6. Officials described all three as minor, causing no reported damage or casualties. The incidents follow a stronger 5.7-magnitude earthquake on November 21 that shook the entire country, killing 10 people and injuring over 600. Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely amid rising public concern over frequent tremors in recent weeks.