Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam announced that at least 50,000 people will participate in a canal excavation drive and one million trees will be planted in a single day in Sylhet. He said committees will be formed at the upazila level to decide within a week which canals will be excavated and where trees will be planted. The announcement came during a meeting on implementing the Prime Minister’s priority project for nationwide canal excavation and tree plantation, held at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury, who attended as chief guest, said the initiative is part of the government’s commitment to public welfare and election pledges. He emphasized that public awareness and collective participation are essential for full success and called for turning the program into a social movement. Other speakers included Member of Parliament M.A. Malik and Mufti Abul Hasan.

The nationwide program, launched on March 16, 2026, aims to improve irrigation, control floods, reduce waterlogging, and restore water bodies. Under the plan, about 20,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated or re-excavated over five years with coordination among four government agencies.

Iran has rejected reports of an oil spill near Kharg Island, describing them as false and unfounded. Abbas Asadoroz, CEO of Iran’s Oil Terminals Company, said that after the reports surfaced, teams from the health, safety, chemical, and laboratory departments inspected the area but found no trace of pollution. He added that neither the International Maritime Organization’s MEMAC center nor Iranian authorities had received any pollution reports from the area.

Asadoroz criticized a post by the NGO Conflict and Environment Observatory on social media platform X, which claimed that an oil slick from an unknown source was spreading southward and was not being properly contained. Meanwhile, Jafar Pourkabgani, a representative from Bushehr in Iran’s parliament, also denied any oil discharge into the sea but suggested that the visible stains were likely waste and oil mixtures dumped from a European tanker, causing environmental harm.

The MEMAC center, a key regional body in the Persian Gulf, coordinates member states in responding to pollution incidents and strengthening preparedness for environmental emergencies.

The flood situation in northeastern Bangladesh has shown further improvement as water levels in major rivers continue to fall. According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Water Development Board, the region experienced no significant rainfall in the past 24 hours, leading to expectations of continued improvement. On Sunday, the Nalojur River in Sunamganj remained stable at 50 centimeters above the pre-monsoon danger level, while the Someshwari, Bhugai-Kangsha, and Mogra rivers in Netrokona saw slight decreases in water levels. However, the Sutang River in Habiganj rose by 7 centimeters at the Sutang rail bridge point.

The agency reported that river levels across the haor region of Sunamganj are slowly decreasing at a rate of 0 to 1 centimeter per hour. No notable rainfall was recorded in the upstream or internal haor basin areas of the northeast during the last 24 hours. Additionally, India’s special bulletin indicated that Cherrapunji in Meghalaya did not record significant rainfall.

As a result, water levels in rivers across three northeastern districts are expected to continue falling, further improving the flood situation in the haor basin.

After three days of rising temperatures and oppressive humidity, rain across Bangladesh, including Dhaka, brought relief to residents. According to the Meteorological Department’s 24-hour data until 6 p.m. Sunday, 26 of 51 observation centers recorded rainfall, with the highest at 64 millimeters in Nikli, Kishoreganj. Dhaka saw 32 millimeters, while Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet, Mongla, and other areas also experienced significant showers. The rain lowered the day’s maximum temperature to 36 degrees Celsius from 37.2 the previous day.

Meteorologist Kazi Zebun Nesa said a low-pressure system may form over the southwest Bay of Bengal within 48 hours but will not affect Bangladesh, as it is positioned farther southwest and may influence Sri Lanka and parts of India. Scattered rain may continue for two days, though heavy rainfall is not expected. Despite moderate temperatures, high humidity could cause discomfort.

From May 13, moderate to heavy rainfall is likely in the country’s northeastern regions, including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, due to expected heavy rain in India’s Meghalaya and Cherrapunji. The department noted that early monsoon activity has slightly increased internal rainfall this year.

Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie has announced that Bangladesh will build durable and climate-resilient coastal infrastructure to ensure long-term national security and economic growth. Speaking on Sunday at a seminar at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka, he emphasized the need for advanced construction materials, eco-friendly engineering, and climate-tolerant designs to safeguard coastal regions from climate-related risks.

The minister highlighted that high population density in coastal areas has led to environmental challenges, including reduced farmland, increased fishing pressure, resource overuse, water pollution, and mangrove destruction. Rising sea levels are causing erosion and saltwater intrusion, damaging crops and marine ecosystems. He urged the use of modern technology to prevent coastal erosion.

Annie added that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the government is reviving the canal excavation program initiated by late President Ziaur Rahman. Over the next five years, 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, ponds, and reservoirs will be excavated or re-excavated, alongside the planting of 250 million trees to create coastal green belts. He also called for new laws and management plans to protect farmland and improve waste management in coastal zones.

The Bangladesh Navy is carrying out continuous operations to safeguard the country’s maritime boundaries, marine resources, and national economic interests. Alongside ensuring the security of commercial and fuel-carrying vessels, the Navy has been implementing two major initiatives: the ‘Jatka Elimination Prevention Operation 2026’ since February 15, 2026, and a 58-day fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal starting April 15, 2026.

Under the Jatka prevention campaign, coordinated operations are being conducted across nine coastal districts including Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Chandpur, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barishal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, and Barguna. In Barishal, the naval ship BNS Titas is leading patrols and special missions. The Navy is seizing and destroying illegal fishing nets such as current nets, mosquito nets, and China duari nets, while encouraging fishermen to follow government directives.

So far, illegal nets worth about Tk 514.68 crore, totaling 34.08 million meters, have been confiscated, along with 861 prohibited nets and one boat carrying 37 kilograms of jatka. The operation will continue until May 15, 2026, with three naval ships deployed to enforce the fishing ban in the Bay of Bengal.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu announced that around 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and reservoirs will be excavated across Bangladesh over the next five years. He made the statement while inaugurating the re-excavation of a canal from Daser Hat Chhara to the Assistant Commissioner’s connection point in Holokhana Union of Kurigram. The minister said the initiative could bring a revolutionary change in the country’s water management system.

He recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had launched a canal excavation program in 1977 to boost agricultural production and expand irrigation facilities, which had enabled Bangladesh to export rice for the first time. The current program, revived by the BNP, aims to fulfill that earlier vision. According to the minister, the project will enhance agricultural productivity through modern irrigation, create opportunities for fish farming and duck rearing, and help control floods and waterlogging.

The excavation initiative is being implemented under the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGPP) allocation, with local officials, political leaders, and residents attending the inauguration ceremony.

In Tangail’s Basail upazila, cracks have appeared on the approach road of a newly constructed bridge costing Tk 45.59 million before its official inauguration. The bridge, located at Saidampur Bazar in Kanchanpur Union, was built by contractor firm Bashed Engineering under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The 70-meter RCC girder bridge project began on April 13, 2021, with an initial completion deadline of April 12, 2022, later extended.

Local residents reported that the roadbed was not properly compacted during construction, leading to cracks that worsened with rainfall. They warned that continued rain could cause the approach road to collapse. Bashed Engineering’s manager stated that heavy rainfall and overloaded traffic caused the damage, and repairs would be made. LGED’s upazila engineer confirmed that some areas lacked block installation and that the contractor had been instructed to fix the damaged sections.

Officials said payment for the approach road work has not yet been released and that the contractor must complete repairs before final settlement.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning for seven districts, forecasting thunderstorms and gusty winds by Sunday morning. According to the alert, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Tangail, Jashore, Kushtia, and Khulna regions may experience rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusts or squalls reaching speeds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour. The warning indicates that these conditions could occur from the west or northwest direction.

The weather office has also instructed river ports in the affected areas to hoist cautionary signal number one. The advisory aims to alert residents and authorities to prepare for possible disruptions caused by the expected weather conditions.

The notice emphasizes the need for vigilance in the mentioned districts as the stormy weather may affect local transport and outdoor activities during the early hours of Sunday.

The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Saturday officially observed its first citywide 'Cleaning Day' across ten administrative regions, marked by spontaneous public participation. The initiative follows the DSCC administrator’s declaration of the first Saturday of every month as 'Cleaning Day' to promote a cleaner and healthier city. The program aligns with the Prime Minister’s weekly cleanliness campaign aimed at preventing dengue and chikungunya and maintaining urban hygiene.

Regional executive officers led the cleaning drives in their respective areas, joined by DSCC staff, residents, government and private offices, educational institutions, and property owners. DSCC Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam inaugurated a modern waste transfer station and beautification work in Malibagh Ward 12, emphasizing that collective effort could transform Dhaka within six months.

The administrator announced that special cleaning operations will be held citywide on the first Saturday of each month, urging political, social, and volunteer organizations to participate. He also called for regular cleaning of rooftops and yards to prevent mosquito breeding, expressing hope that the combined initiatives would help build a cleaner, dengue-free Dhaka.

In Barishal’s Gournadi municipality, a contractor has left key roads and drains dug up for months, causing severe hardship for residents. Despite repeated notices from the municipal authorities, construction work has remained stalled, leading to frequent accidents and widespread public anger. The project, worth Tk 10.66 crore, was awarded in mid-2025 to Messrs. Md. Delowar Hossain and Messrs. Shahid Brothers (Joint Venture) at a reduced bid of Tk 7.95 crore. Although the work order was issued to this firm, another contractor, Shamim Hossain, has been implementing the project under a mandate.

According to municipal sources, the project began on August 13 last year and is scheduled for completion by February 12, 2027. Only one road has been completed so far, while another road and drain remain unfinished after excavation. Residents complain that the road from Thana Mor to the Additional Superintendent of Police’s office has been closed for months, causing waterlogging, mosquito infestation, and foul odors. Municipal officials have warned that if the contractor fails to resume and complete the work within the stipulated time, legal action will be taken.

In Tangail’s Basail upazila, cracks have developed on the approach road of a bridge costing Tk 4.55 crore before its inauguration. The bridge, located at Saidampur Bazar in Kanchanpur Union, was built under the supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). On-site observation showed that the cracks are worsening with rainfall, raising fears that the road could collapse if heavy rain continues.

According to LGED sources, contractor firm Bashed Engineering was assigned to construct the 70-meter RCC girder bridge on the Saidampur Bazar–Kuratali via Primary School road. Construction began on April 13, 2021, and was initially scheduled for completion by April 12, 2022, but the deadline was extended. Local residents blamed poor soil compaction and weak carpeting for the damage, while the contractor’s manager attributed the cracks to heavy rainfall and traffic load. The upazila engineer confirmed that some blocks were not installed and that the contractor has been asked to repair the damaged sections.

Officials stated that payment for the approach road work has not yet been made and that the contractor will fix the affected areas before final handover.

Satellite imagery has revealed signs of an oil spill off the coast of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. The images show a visible oil slick spreading across the sea near the island’s western shore. The exact cause of the spill remains unconfirmed, according to reports from AFP.

Monitoring organization Orbital EOS told The New York Times that as of Thursday, the slick covered about 20 square miles (52 square kilometers). The nonprofit Conflict and Environment Observatory stated on social media that the source of the spill is still unclear, noting that the slick is drifting southward and that effective containment measures appear unlikely.

Kharg Island hosts Iran’s largest oil terminal, pipelines, storage tanks, and related infrastructure. The island lies several hundred kilometers northwest of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which Iran nearly closed after conflict with the United States and Israel began on February 28. Subsequent U.S. blockades of Iranian ports have left many oil tankers stranded in the area.

A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck the South Salmara Mankachar area of Assam, India, on Saturday afternoon, according to Volcano Discovery. The tremor occurred at 2:40 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located about 34 kilometers from Dhubri town. The quake’s effects were felt across several northern districts of Bangladesh.

Preliminary reports indicate that the depth of the earthquake has not yet been determined, though it is believed to have been shallow. Shallow earthquakes are typically felt more strongly near their epicenters. Residents in both Assam and northern Bangladesh reported feeling the tremor shortly after it occurred.

No immediate reports of casualties or damage have been received following the earthquake, according to initial information available from the region.

Residents of northern Bangladesh remain frustrated as the long-promised Teesta River Master Plan continues to face delays despite repeated political commitments. The river, vital to the livelihoods of millions across eight northern districts, has suffered from erosion, water scarcity, and seasonal flooding due to India’s upstream control and dam operations. Although successive governments pledged to implement the Teesta project, none have delivered tangible progress, leaving local communities disillusioned.

The previous interim government initiated renewed discussions with China to implement a 12,000-crore-taka, ten-year project, with partial funding expected from Chinese loans. However, bureaucratic hurdles and slow loan disbursement have stalled progress. Local residents, losing faith in official assurances, launched the “Jago Bahe Teesta Bachai” movement demanding immediate action. The movement later gained political traction under the current government, which again promised implementation.

As monsoon season approaches, fears of flooding intensify due to rising water pressure at India’s Gajoldoba Barrage. While Bangladesh’s Water Development Board reports no immediate flood risk, residents remain anxious, hoping the long-delayed project will finally begin to secure their livelihoods.