In Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur, continuous rain and strong winds have caused extensive damage to boro paddy, jute, maize, and other crops. Fields are submerged, and half-ripe paddy is rotting as farmers face both yield losses and difficulties in harvesting. According to the local agriculture office, 560 hectares of boro paddy, 350 hectares of jute, 120 hectares of maize, 50 hectares of vegetables, and several banana fields have been affected, with some areas completely destroyed.

Farmers in several low-lying areas, including Tartapara, Jorkhali, and Gabergram Jhalupara, are struggling to harvest crops in knee- to waist-deep water. Many are cutting half-ripe paddy to prevent further losses, while others are tying fallen stalks to keep them upright. Local farmers described severe waterlogging and crop damage, saying they were forced to harvest early to avoid total loss.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Habibur Rahman said officials are assessing the damage and advising farmers to drain water quickly, harvest fallen paddy, and tie up unripe plants to reduce further losses.

A mobile court in Sirajganj’s Raiganj and Ullapara upazilas fined five illegal brick kilns a total of Tk 1.1 million for environmental violations. The joint operation, conducted by the district administration and the Department of Environment from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, also demolished the kiln of one brickfield for causing severe environmental damage. The drive was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Ruhul Amin.

According to officials, the action followed reports that toxic emissions from Messrs Tanzila Bricks in Bilchandi area had damaged nearby farmland. On April 30, around 80 bighas of Boro paddy were reportedly destroyed, prompting farmers to protest and demand compensation. After the issue gained attention through media coverage, authorities launched the mobile court operation.

The fined brick kilns were Messrs Sufia Bricks (Tk 200,000), Messrs Ruhi Bricks (Tk 200,000), Messrs Raninagar Bricks (Tk 100,000), Messrs Asha Bricks (Tk 500,000), and Messrs Tanzila Bricks (Tk 100,000). Officials stated that similar drives against illegal and environmentally harmful brick kilns will continue in the future.

In Ajmiriganj upazila of Habiganj, several days of adverse weather, thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall have submerged around 1,600 hectares of ripe paddy fields across Sadar, Badalpur, Jalsukha, Shibpasha, and Kakailchhe unions. Thousands of farmers in the haor areas are struggling with anxiety and despair as they fail to harvest their crops in time.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Department, boro paddy was cultivated on 14,560 hectares this season, of which 5,155 hectares have been harvested so far. Farmers are working urgently to cut submerged paddy, some using boats to transport crops to dry areas. Many have reported severe financial distress after losing most of their harvests and investments.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Ruhul Amin said field monitoring is ongoing and that a request has been sent to the district to address the labor shortage. Upazila Executive Officer S.M. Rezaul Karim confirmed that 1,600 hectares have been affected and that a list of affected farmers is being prepared while efforts continue to mobilize workers through local representatives.

Bangladesh’s government has announced a plan to introduce 250 electric buses in Dhaka to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. Prime Minister Tarek Rahman said the initiative, part of a ‘Clean and Green City’ program, will be implemented jointly by the Department of Environment and the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority. The project, supported by the World Bank, aims to modernize public transport and includes a 180-day priority program to launch electric and women-focused bus services.

Experts from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) welcomed the move but warned that without clear policies, modern infrastructure, and skilled management, the plan could face serious challenges. They emphasized the need for effective maintenance systems, training, and incentives for green vehicles. Past efforts reportedly failed due to resistance from powerful transport business groups benefiting from diesel-based fleets.

Analysts said the government must take firm political decisions to overcome vested interests. If implemented through dedicated lanes and strong oversight, the electric bus project could transform Dhaka’s public transport system and significantly cut pollution levels.

Several days of nor'wester storms, hail, and strong winds have caused extensive damage to the renowned Haribhanga mango orchards in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur. The early-season storms led to premature fruit drop and cracking of mangoes due to hail impact, leaving local farmers uncertain about their expected yield and income this year.

A field visit revealed fallen unripe mangoes scattered under trees, broken branches, and widespread fruit damage. Farmers expressed deep frustration as the Haribhanga mango plays a vital role in the local economy. Growers from Kursha and Soyer unions reported losing large portions of their crops, including mango and lychee, and feared further losses in future harvests due to damaged trees.

According to the upazila agriculture office, Haribhanga mango is a key cash crop for Taraganj, supplying markets across the country. Upazila Agriculture Officer Dhiba Rani Roy said the extent of the damage is being assessed, and a list of affected farmers is being prepared to inform higher authorities for possible assistance.

In Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar, sudden storms and continuous rain have caused waste from nearby Rohingya camps to wash into local farmlands, submerging Boro paddy fields during the harvest season. Local farmers in the Machkariya Beel area reported that around five hectares of paddy have been damaged by the floodwater mixed with plastic, polythene, and bottles. They said the incident has left them in severe financial distress.

Farmers Nurul Haque and Abdus Salam stated that this problem recurs every year during the storm season, yet no permanent solution has been implemented. They alleged that the agricultural office has not visited the affected sites and demanded compensation for their losses. Locals blamed both natural disasters and poor waste management in the Rohingya camps for the recurring damage to farmland.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamnashish Sarkar said his office has no record of such damage and claimed that water does not usually stagnate in the affected area, leaving the reported losses unverified.

A newly built bridge and connecting road in Haripur area of Kachua upazila, Chandpur, have partially collapsed before their official inauguration. The project, costing over Tk 20 million under the ‘Program for Supporting Rural Bridges’ funded by the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank, included a 12-meter RCC girder bridge and approach roads. The construction was carried out by contractor firm Messrs Harun & Sons.

On-site inspection revealed that soil under the guard walls had shifted, and large cracks and holes appeared on the connecting road. Locals alleged that substandard materials were used from the beginning of construction and that repeated complaints to the upazila engineer brought no action. They claimed poor-quality stones and bricks were used in the approach and that improper slope alignment caused structural weakness.

Kachua Upazila Engineer Abdul Alim Liton said parts of the structure were damaged by rain and that the issue was being investigated. He added that the contractor’s final payment would depend on quality verification.

After a two-month government ban to protect juvenile hilsa, coastal fishermen in Charfassion upazila of Bhola are preparing to resume fishing. The restriction, which covered the Meghna and Tentulia river sanctuaries during March and April, ended at midnight on Thursday. Around fifty thousand fishermen are expected to return to the rivers, with fishing villages now bustling as nets are repaired and boats readied.

Many fishermen reported difficulties obtaining ice and diesel, while some said they struggled to survive during the ban due to delays in receiving government rice allocations. Rising fuel prices have also increased the cost of preparing for the new fishing season. Senior Fisheries Officer Jayanta Kumar Apu stated that regular monitoring was conducted across about 190 kilometers of river areas during the restriction.

He added that the conservation effort is expected to boost hilsa production, and the government has expanded food assistance programs providing 160 kilograms of rice per family over four months. With the ban lifted, fishing families are hopeful for a better catch and improved livelihoods.

The Ministry of Local Government has formed a 19-member committee to keep all canals and drainage systems in Chattogram city operational throughout the year and to strengthen coordination of development and service activities. Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has been appointed as the convener of the committee. The official order, signed by Deputy Secretary Ashfikun Nahar of the City Corporation-2 branch, was handed over to the mayor by State Minister Mir Shahe Alam at the CCC office on Thursday.

The committee includes representatives from the army’s 34 Engineer Brigade, Chattogram WASA, the district administration, Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Chattogram Port Authority, Power Development Board, and other relevant agencies. The CCC’s Chief Executive Officer will serve as the member secretary. According to the order, the committee will ensure year-round maintenance of canals and drainage channels, coordinate major development and service projects, and make recommendations to the government on public interest issues.

The formation follows recent heavy rainfall that caused waterlogging in several parts of the city, prompting the state minister’s visit to assess the situation.

Authorities in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla demolished two illegally operated brick kilns named MBS Bricks and Five Star Bricks during a joint drive on Thursday afternoon in the Chandannagar area of Jafarganj Union. The district and upazila administrations led the operation after receiving complaints from locals and monitoring reports indicating the kilns lacked environmental clearance and required permits.

Under the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2019, MBS Bricks was fined Tk 75,000, and its chimney, kiln, and about 10,000 raw bricks were destroyed. Five Star Bricks was also fined Tk 75,000, and its chimney was demolished. Both kilns were ordered to cease operations immediately.

The drive was led by Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Faisal Uddin and District Executive Magistrate Sultan Hasan Mahmud, with a team from the Department of Environment present. Officials stated that similar actions would continue to protect public interest and prevent environmental damage.

In Sirajganj’s Raiganj upazila, toxic smoke from a brick kiln reportedly damaged around 80 bighas of Boro rice fields, affecting at least 30 farmers. The incident occurred near Bilchandi area, where locals allege that emissions from the ‘Tanjila’ brick kiln spread over nearby farmland, burning rice plants and blackening the grains. In protest, affected farmers held a demonstration in Telijana village, demanding immediate closure of the kiln and compensation for their losses.

Farmers including Abdul Malek, Abdul Alim, Amzad Hossain, and Gokul Nandi said their crops were destroyed overnight, leaving them uncertain about repaying debts and supporting their families. Brick kiln owner Faruk Hossain denied responsibility, claiming the damage might have other causes and dismissing concerns about administrative action. A Raiganj upazila official confirmed receiving complaints and said an investigation would be conducted.

Environmental experts warned that unregulated brick kiln operations are harming agricultural land and posing risks to food security, urging stronger oversight and enforcement.

In Chirirbandar upazila of Dinajpur, van driver Asaduzzaman has become a key ally for local farmers battling rat infestations in Aman and Boro rice fields. He designed a bamboo cone-shaped trap that has proven highly effective in controlling rats, offering an alternative to chemical pesticides and traditional methods that failed to deliver results. Farmers now rely on his traps to safeguard their crops, and Asaduzzaman earns between 40,000 and 50,000 taka each season from this work.

Farmers such as Robiul Islam and Arman Ali reported that Asaduzzaman’s bamboo traps have significantly reduced rat damage, improving yields and reducing costs. Each rat caught earns him 30 to 50 taka, and he kills 30 to 70 rats daily during peak seasons. Agricultural officials, including assistant officer Minhajul Islam Nawab, confirmed that Asaduzzaman has killed around 30,000 to 35,000 rats so far and has been recognized by the agriculture department for his contribution.

Officials are encouraging farmers to adopt bamboo traps instead of chemical poisons, citing their effectiveness and environmental safety.

A bridge over the GK irrigation canal in Jhenaidah Sadar upazila collapsed in June 2025 due to heavy rainfall, halting all vehicle movement. For the past nine months, around 50,000 residents from 37 villages have been forced to cross the canal using a bamboo walkway built by locals. The bridge, constructed about 45 years ago, had been unstable for several years, and locals allege that heavy trucks from nearby brick kilns contributed to its collapse.

The damaged bridge lies on the Bhabanipur–Defolbari section of the Bishoykhali–Jisingar Bathan GC via Defolbari road, a key route connecting Kumrabaria and Maharajpur unions. The bamboo structure now used for crossing has also become shaky, leaving school students and farmers particularly affected. Auto-rickshaws, vans, and motorcycles remain unable to pass, severely disrupting transport between Jhenaidah, Kaliganj, Kotchandpur, and Chuadanga.

Local LGED executive engineer Abul Kalam Azad said two separate project proposals for rebuilding the collapsed bridge have been submitted for approval, and construction will begin once approval is granted.

At least 12 people were killed in lightning strikes across seven districts of Bangladesh on Wednesday, according to local police and administrative officials. The incidents occurred in Patuakhali, Jamalpur, Barguna, Mymensingh, Bagerhat, Rangpur, and Rajbari at different times of the day. Several others were injured. Patuakhali reported the highest number of casualties, with four deaths during a nor’wester storm, while Jamalpur and Barguna each recorded two fatalities. One person died in each of the remaining districts.

In Patuakhali, lightning during a storm also killed more than 50 cows over the past two days. Local officials confirmed the deaths and said the victims were engaged in outdoor activities such as farming, fishing, and cattle tending when struck. In Barguna, authorities provided financial assistance to one victim’s family under a government relief program.

The incidents highlight the recurring danger of lightning during the pre-monsoon season in rural Bangladesh, where many people work in open fields and near water bodies, increasing their vulnerability to such natural hazards.

After a two-month government ban, fishermen from Ramgati and Komolnagar upazilas in Lakshmipur are preparing to return to the Meghna River from midnight on Thursday. The restriction, which prohibited all fishing, transport, and marketing of fish from March 1 to April 30, will officially end at 12:00 a.m. Fishermen were seen repairing nets, cleaning boats, and making final preparations to resume work.

According to the fisheries department, the ban covered about 100 kilometers of the river area from Ramgati to Shatnol in Chandpur. Around 21,500 registered fishermen in Ramgati and 11,500 in Komolnagar were affected by the restriction. Officials said the measure aimed to protect juvenile hilsa and increase fish production. Some fishermen reported receiving government assistance during the ban, while others said they did not and faced hardship.

Local fisheries officers confirmed that the restriction was effectively enforced and that fishermen would be allowed to resume fishing activities from midnight as the conservation period concludes.