Thousands of acres of farmland in Dhamrai, Dhaka, have been submerged due to severe waterlogging caused by the absence of proper drainage systems. Local farmers and representatives allege that unplanned industrial expansion and landfilling by factory owners have blocked natural water flow, leaving mustard and paddy fields underwater across three villages. The affected areas include parts of Somvag Union, where hundreds of farmers are unable to cultivate crops.

According to local accounts, the problem worsened as industrial establishments and roads expanded along both sides of the Dhaka–Aricha Highway, filling and occupying canals such as the historic Gazikhali canal. Farmers report that around 5,000 acres of land remain flooded, drastically reducing agricultural output. Union Parishad member Jahangir Alam and chairman candidate Abul Hossain both emphasized the urgent need for drainage restoration to revive crop production.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Arifur Rahman confirmed that unplanned industrialization and canal encroachment caused the waterlogging. Upazila Executive Officer Al-Mamun stated that a major project is required to re-excavate the canal and pledged to coordinate with highway officials to prevent further agricultural losses.

A series of Ukrainian drone attacks on an oil refinery and terminal in Tuapse, a coastal city on Russia’s Black Sea, has triggered a severe environmental crisis. The refinery, hit four times in two weeks, caught fire again last Friday, releasing toxic smoke that led to ‘black rain’ falling over the area. Around 30 miles of coastline have been contaminated by spilled oil. Environmentalists have described the incident as one of Russia’s worst ecological disasters since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Thick, acrid smoke has blanketed Tuapse’s skies, and residents report oily, poisonous droplets falling from the air. Vladimir Slivyak, head of the environmental group Ecodefense, warned that carcinogenic substances such as benzene are present, posing serious health risks. Dead fish and dolphins have washed ashore, while local anger grows over what residents see as government indifference. President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the attacks but dismissed them as “no major threat.”

Authorities have reportedly restricted internet and Telegram use to control information. The Kyiv School of Economics estimates Russia’s revenue losses at about $2.2 billion, with refinery reconstruction possibly costing $5 billion. Schools in Tuapse remain closed, and residents are advised to stay indoors and avoid tap water.

A newly built approach road to a bridge on the Safipur–Boroibari regional road in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, collapsed just one month after its inauguration. The incident occurred in the Kaliadah Mokosh Beel area, prompting allegations of substandard construction work against the contractor. The 55-meter bridge was built under the Program for Supporting Rural Bridges project, jointly funded by the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank, at a cost of Tk 5.14 crore. The project was implemented by Messrs Mostafa Kamal & Sons Enterprise, with a scheduled completion date of December 15 last year.

Local residents expressed frustration, saying the road appeared fine initially but failed within weeks. Attempts to contact the contractor’s owner, Mohammad Abdul Kader, were unsuccessful. Abdul Al Mamun, the upazila sub-assistant engineer, stated that heavy rainfall caused the collapse and that the contractor would be instructed to repair the damaged section promptly. He also noted that the project’s official work period had not yet expired.

The collapse has raised questions about construction quality and oversight in publicly funded infrastructure projects in the region.

In Dhamrai upazila of Dhaka, around 25 acres of Boro rice fields have been destroyed by toxic smoke and heat from nearby brick kilns. The incident affected more than a hundred marginal farmers across five villages in the Amtala Union, many of whom had cultivated rice on borrowed land or with loans. The farmers, who relied on this harvest for their annual food supply, now face severe uncertainty after the sudden loss.

Local sources identified three brick kilns—Alif Bricks, Tiger Bricks, and Al Madina Bricks—situated beside the three-crop lands in Nandeswari area. Farmers claim that such damage occurs regularly due to the kilns’ heat and smoke, and they have demanded a fair investigation and compensation. Dhamrai Upazila Agriculture Officer Arifur Rahman confirmed that preliminary findings indicate the brick kilns caused the damage and said the matter has been reported to the administration. Upazila Executive Officer Al Mamun stated that discussions will be held with kiln owners and farmers to ensure proper compensation.

Residents noted that similar incidents occur every year in Dhamrai, urging stronger preventive measures and timely compensation for affected farmers.

Researchers from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have reported promising results from cultivating short-duration Boro rice varieties in the haor wetlands of northeastern Bangladesh. The findings were presented at a press conference held at the university’s Department of Crop Botany, led by Professor Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman Pramanik. The research, ongoing since 2020, aims to help farmers harvest rice 15 to 20 days earlier than traditional varieties, reducing losses from sudden pre-monsoon floods.

According to the researchers, about 60 percent of Bangladesh’s total rice production comes from the Boro season, with 18 percent produced in haor areas. However, early floods often destroy 10 to 100 percent of crops each year. The study tested several short-duration varieties such as BRRI dhan-88, BRRI dhan-101, BRRI dhan-113, BRRI dhan-105, and BRRI dhan-25, which mature in about 145 days—two weeks earlier than the widely grown BRRI dhan-92.

The researchers noted challenges including slightly lower yields, temperature sensitivity, and the need for timely planting and harvesting. They emphasized that agricultural mechanization, including rice transplanters and harvesters, is essential to ensure timely harvesting before floods.

Eight rivers in Bangladesh’s northeastern region are flowing above the danger level following moderate to heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre of the Water Development Board. The forecast, issued on Monday, reported significant rainfall in Netrokona, Habiganj, and Chandpur, with water levels rising at eight points across seven rivers in three districts.

The forecast noted that rivers such as the Surma-Kushiyara, Dhalai, Dhanu-Baulai, and Kalni have seen water levels increase, while the Bhugai-Kangsha and Someshwari rivers have shown slight decreases. The Meghalayan and Assamese regions of India also experienced moderate rainfall, contributing to the rising water levels. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department predicted continued moderate to heavy rainfall over the next few days, with potential thunderstorms in several divisions.

The Water Development Board warned that water levels in the Surma-Kushiyara basin could continue to rise for three days, possibly causing flooding in low-lying haor areas of Sylhet and Sunamganj. Flood conditions in parts of Habiganj, Netrokona, and Kishoreganj may persist as river levels remain high.

Widespread crop destruction has been reported across Bangladesh following continuous heavy rainfall, storms, and flash floods from India. Fields of ripe boro rice, soybeans, onions, garlic, and seasonal vegetables have been submerged under waist-deep water in many areas, including Sunamganj, Srimangal, Jhalokathi, Lakshmipur, and Netrokona. Thousands of farming families in the haor regions are facing severe hardship as their annual harvests are lost. Power outages and infrastructure damage have also been reported due to fallen trees and broken electric poles.

In Sunamganj’s Jagannathpur, nearly half of 20,423 hectares of rice fields were still unharvested when six days of rain submerged large areas. In Srimangal, 215 hectares of ripe and semi-ripe rice were flooded due to poor drainage. Farmers in Netrokona are struggling to dry harvested rice, while in Lakshmipur’s Raipur, about 60 percent of soybean crops have been damaged. Jhalokathi and Nalchity also reported major losses of rabi crops and rice fields.

Local agricultural offices are assessing damage and advising farmers to harvest mature crops quickly. Authorities have pledged to report losses and seek assistance for affected farmers.

Widespread load-shedding in Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola has caused severe disruption to students, businesses, and residents. The outages have affected ongoing SSC, Dakhil, and equivalent examinations, with power cuts even during exam hours. Evening blackouts have made it difficult for students to study, and candles are reportedly unavailable in local markets.

Residents complain that electricity often disappears even before clouds appear in the sky. On Saturday, power was out for 17 consecutive hours, and on Sunday for seven hours. The outages have halted operations in offices, banks, and businesses, while household appliances such as refrigerators and computers are being damaged. Business owners report that their work has nearly stopped, yet they still struggle to pay electricity bills on time.

The general manager of Bhola Palli Bidyut Samiti (Banglabazar) attributed the disruptions to storms and issues in the national grid line. The situation has also affected internet and mobile networks, leaving the area in near paralysis.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast storms with wind speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour in seven districts by Monday evening. The warning, issued in a special advisory for inland river ports from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., covers Dhaka, Tangail, Mymensingh, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram, and Sylhet. These areas may experience temporary gusty or squally winds from the west or northwest, accompanied by rain or thunderstorms.

Due to the risk of rough weather, river ports in the affected regions have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one. The weather office has also urged vessels operating in these areas to navigate carefully to avoid accidents.

The advisory highlights the likelihood of heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activity in the mentioned districts, prompting authorities and residents to remain alert throughout the day.

A four-storey building in the Palpara area of Chandpur city has tilted onto an adjacent structure, prompting local authorities to order the evacuation of both buildings. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, creating panic among residents. Chandpur Municipality officials visited the site, posted warning notices, and advised all occupants to move to safer locations immediately.

According to reports, the leaning building belongs to Md. Shahjahan, constructed in 2015, while the neighboring building owned by Md. Shah Alam Dhaly was built in 2012 with municipal approval. Shah Alam said his building became risky after the adjacent one began leaning, while Shahjahan stated he was unsure of the cause but claimed his construction followed municipal rules.

Municipal urban planner Md. Sohrab Hossain said initial inspections suggest a construction defect may have caused the tilt, putting both buildings at risk. The municipality plans a detailed investigation before taking further action.

A scenic natural spot known as ‘Mini Switzerland’ near Kuakata, Patuakhali, has become a major attraction for travelers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Located about 13 kilometers east of Kuakata Zero Point, the area features lush forests, grasslands, small hills, and a lake merging with sea waves. Tourists enjoy camping, photography, and the rare experience of watching both sunrise and sunset from one place. The nearby ‘Red Crab Island’ is also gaining popularity for its unique coastal ecosystem.

Local guides say the name ‘Mini Switzerland’ originated from a travel blogger’s viral video showcasing the area’s beauty. Tourism stakeholders believe that with proper planning and eco-friendly management, the site could become one of Bangladesh’s leading eco-tourism destinations. They emphasize the need for environmental protection and sustainable infrastructure development.

Authorities have announced plans to improve road connectivity and develop tourism-friendly facilities around the area. Officials stated that any future projects will prioritize environmental conservation and sustainable growth to strengthen Kuakata’s position as a diverse tourism hub.

Despite spending nearly Tk 10,000 crore on several drainage and infrastructure projects, Chattogram continues to suffer from severe waterlogging after even brief rainfall. Officially, project progress exceeds 90 percent, yet the port city remains inundated. Experts attribute the persistent problem to poor coordination among agencies, weak maintenance, and ineffective waste management. The issue has drawn attention in parliament, where the Prime Minister expressed regret and assured that efforts are underway to resolve it.

Three major agencies—the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Water Development Board, and Chattogram City Corporation—are implementing projects worth Tk 14,257 crore, but delays and inefficiency have extended three-year projects to eight years. Experts say unplanned urbanization, hill cutting, and siltation of canals have worsened the crisis. Around 1.9 million tons of waste are generated annually, much of which ends up in canals, blocking water flow.

Officials acknowledge that the City Corporation lacks the manpower and technology to maintain the expanded drainage network. The local government ministry has also criticized the previous administration for assigning large projects to inexperienced agencies, creating further complications.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain emphasized citizen awareness during the ongoing month-long canal and drain cleaning campaign aimed at reducing waterlogging in the city. During an inspection of activities in East Madarbari, West Madarbari, and Pathantuli wards on Sunday, he said that a clean city cannot be achieved by the corporation alone and that residents must act responsibly.

The mayor explained that despite cleaning efforts, indiscriminate disposal of plastic, polythene, and waste continues to hinder permanent solutions. He noted that the Water Development Board is constructing a Swiss Gate in the Gulzar Khal area, and temporary embankments have caused short-term water accumulation in nearby areas during recent rainfall. He apologized to residents for the inconvenience and stated that the Bangladesh Army’s 34 Engineering Brigade and the Water Development Board have been instructed to complete the work quickly.

According to the mayor, completion of the Swiss Gate will help control tidal water and significantly reduce waterlogging. Ongoing renovation of Hijra Khal and Jamalkhan Khal is also expected to improve drainage and benefit city residents once completed.

Continuous rainfall over recent days has submerged ripe Boro paddy fields in several areas of Natore’s Singra upazila and Tangail’s Madhupur upazila. Farmers are struggling to harvest waterlogged crops, with seedlings sprouting on wet paddy due to lack of sunlight. In Singra, early flooding and rising water from the Atrai River have threatened hundreds of farmers’ crops across the Chalan Beel region. Only about 15 percent of the 36,610 hectares of cultivated land has been harvested so far.

Local residents and farmers in Singra are working together to protect their fields, filling sandbags to block floodwater despite limited resources. Women are also participating in the effort. The local agriculture office and the area’s Member of Parliament have visited affected zones and pledged immediate assistance. In Madhupur, around 500 bighas of paddy in the Haoda Beel area have gone underwater, putting debt-ridden farmers and sharecroppers in distress.

Officials warned that if water does not recede quickly, many farmers could face total crop loss, turning a promising harvest season into a financial disaster.

In Banshkhali, Chattogram, more than 300,000 coastal residents remain vulnerable to cyclones and tidal surges as no permanent or sustainable embankment has been built in the past 35 years. The 37-kilometer embankment, destroyed by the 1991 cyclone, has yet to be properly reconstructed. Although the government recently allocated Tk 4.53 billion for rebuilding, locals have alleged irregularities and poor-quality work, leaving large sections cracked and ineffective during monsoon season.

Residents from areas including Khan Khanabad, Kadam Rasul, Chhanua, Boroghona, Gondamara, and Premashia report that seawater regularly floods their homes and farmlands, causing severe crop losses and forcing thousands into waterlogged conditions. Local leaders and residents have urged immediate action for a permanent embankment, citing long-standing political promises that remain unfulfilled. Agricultural officials warn that rising sea levels and salinity are damaging farmland, freshwater sources, and fisheries.

Banshkhali’s Member of Parliament Maulana Zahirul Islam has visited the site and warned contractors against corruption, insisting that reconstruction must follow the approved schedule.