A mobile court in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur fined a company named Fuel Tech Renewable Energy 60,000 taka for illegally producing furnace oil by burning old tires. The operation took place on Wednesday afternoon in Khiarjumma area of Alampur Union following complaints from local residents. The court also ordered the immediate closure of the facility for lacking required environmental clearance and authorization.

According to the report, the company had been operating for a long time in a densely populated area, causing severe air pollution through black smoke, foul odor, and toxic waste. Residents said the situation had become particularly harmful for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory problems. Despite repeated complaints, no effective action had been taken until this operation.

The mobile court was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Asma Ul Husna under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended 2010). Officials from the Department of Environment, including Senior Chemist Md. Molin Mia, were present during the raid.

Bangladesh’s weather authorities have forecast at least four more days of heavy to very heavy rainfall across the country, with flood risks in five districts. As of Wednesday evening, eight divisions recorded rainfall, the highest being 105 millimeters in Hatiya, Noakhali. The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre reported that four rivers—Bhugai Kangsa, Manu, Someshwari, and Mogra—are flowing above danger levels, with flooding already affecting parts of Moulvibazar and Netrokona. The agency warned that Sylhet, Habiganj, and Sunamganj may also experience flooding as river levels continue to rise.

Meteorologists said the rainfall and storms are expected to persist until May 3, with coastal regions in Barishal and Chattogram divisions seeing the heaviest downpours. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued storm and lightning alerts, advising caution for residents and maritime operations. Ferry services on several river routes were temporarily suspended due to the weather.

Authorities have instructed all sea ports to hoist signal number three and advised fishing boats to remain near the coast until further notice, as the Bay of Bengal remains rough under strong winds and dense cloud cover.

Indian officials have proposed a controversial plan to release crocodiles and venomous snakes along riverine stretches of the India-Bangladesh border. The initiative aims to use these animals as natural deterrents in areas where fencing is difficult, to curb illegal migration and smuggling. A March 26 internal notice instructed Border Security Force (BSF) units to assess the feasibility of deploying reptiles in risky river gaps across eastern and northeastern sectors.

The 4,096-kilometer border includes challenging terrain where fencing is incomplete. Human rights activists and wildlife conservationists have expressed alarm over the plan’s potential humanitarian and ecological consequences. Analysts such as Anshuman Choudhury described the idea as cruel and irrational, arguing that animals cannot distinguish between nationals and migrants and warning of a new form of biopolitical violence. Wildlife expert Rathin Barman cautioned that crocodiles are not native to most border regions and would likely die quickly, disrupting local ecosystems.

Observers linked the move to India’s broader immigration policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which critics say target undocumented migrants and religious minorities. The plan has raised ethical and environmental concerns on both sides of the border.

In Sunamganj, flash floods and continuous rainfall have submerged vast areas of Boro paddy fields, leaving farmers struggling to harvest their crops. Water levels in the haor region have risen sharply, with the Surma River flowing 150 centimeters below the danger level. Farmers are cutting paddy in waist-deep water, but the harvested grains are rotting in the yards due to persistent rain. Many fields remain underwater, and the lack of workers and transport routes has worsened the crisis.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, 223,511 hectares of Boro paddy were cultivated this season, targeting 1.4 million metric tons valued at about Tk 5,000 crore. So far, 50 percent of the crops have been harvested, and 2,047 hectares have been damaged by waterlogging. Officials have advised farmers to harvest ripe paddy quickly. The Water Development Board warned that embankments could be at risk due to continuous rainfall and hill runoff.

The district administration extended the closure of all sand quarries until May 5 to address the labor shortage in the haor areas, aiming to facilitate timely harvesting.

A powerful storm struck Dhanbari upazila in Tangail, causing extensive damage to trees, houses, and standing crops. The storm, which hit on Sunday during the Kalbaishakhi season, left large areas waterlogged, submerging low-lying paddy fields and disrupting daily life. Several unions and municipal areas, including Bajitpur Shyamlarchar, Kathaliabari, and Balasuti, reported fallen trees and damaged homes.

Residents said the storm snapped power lines after trees fell on electric poles, leaving areas like Shyamlarchar without electricity for three days. Farmers reported that boro paddy fields were submerged, and many plants had fallen due to heavy rain and wind. They expressed concern that continued bad weather could destroy their crops before harvest and urged government assistance. One farmer noted that high cultivation costs and earlier droughts had already strained them.

According to the Dhanbari agriculture officer, boro paddy was cultivated on 10,300 hectares this season, and harvesting had begun. He said that if weather conditions improve, farmers will be able to resume harvesting soon. Power department officials confirmed that repair work is ongoing to restore electricity.

Seven people were killed in lightning strikes across six districts of Bangladesh on Wednesday, according to local authorities. The fatalities occurred in Jamalpur, Rajbari, Rangpur, Gazipur, Mymensingh, and Shariatpur. Two young men died in separate incidents in Jamalpur’s Islampur upazila, while one person each was killed in the other five districts. In addition, ten schoolgirls were injured when lightning struck near a school in Barguna’s Bamna upazila.

In Jamalpur, the victims were identified as Sagar, 18, and Shamim, 25, who died while working and fishing respectively. Rajbari’s victim, Suman Mondal, 35, was struck while walking with his daughter, who survived with minor injuries. In Rangpur, a housewife named Sahera Begum, 40, was killed near her home. Mymensingh’s victim, Saddam Hossain, 28, died while fishing, and in Shariatpur, fisherman Rajib Sheikh, 35, was killed. Gazipur’s victim was identified as Jakir Hossain Khan, 32.

Officials confirmed each incident and reported that the Shariatpur district administration provided Tk 25,000 in government assistance to one victim’s family.

Sudden heavy rainfall and flash floods from India have submerged vast areas of Boro rice fields across northeastern Bangladesh, leaving farmers in despair. The worst-hit districts include Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Mymensingh, Netrokona, and Moulvibazar, where ripe and half-ripe paddy fields are underwater. Farmers are struggling to harvest submerged crops, facing labor shortages and machinery inoperability due to flooding. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has intensified field monitoring and provided mechanical support, including dryer machines, to minimize losses.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed concern in parliament and announced three months of government assistance for affected farmers, directing local administrations to expedite relief and rehabilitation. Meteorological officials warned that rainfall may continue until May 4, increasing the risk of crop rot and further damage. Agricultural economists fear a significant production shortfall this year, potentially up to 10 percent, as Boro rice accounts for over half of the nation’s rice output.

Experts urged coordinated action among government agencies to mitigate the crisis, emphasizing urgent harvesting and price support to prevent long-term agricultural setbacks.

Heavy and continuous rainfall combined with upstream hill torrents has severely disrupted life in Habiganj’s haor region. Over the past few days, vast areas have gone underwater, destroying the district’s only boro crop. On Wednesday, April 29, water from the Khoai River entered the haor after an embankment broke at Dattagaon in Sujatpur under Baniachong upazila, flooding hundreds of acres of farmland within moments.

According to the district agriculture officer, around 5,000 hectares of paddy fields are now submerged, with about 30 percent of the crop still unharvested. If the weather does not improve within 24 hours, the remaining paddy may also be lost. The Water Development Board reported 110 millimeters of rainfall in the last 24 hours and said vulnerable embankments are being monitored.

Farmers in Baniachong, Ajmiriganj, and Lakhai upazilas are harvesting paddy in waist- to chest-deep water using small boats. Many are suffering from skin diseases due to prolonged exposure to water, and they complain that the agricultural warning came too late to prepare.

A severe nor'wester storm struck Char Zahir Uddin in Tazumuddin upazila of Bhola on Tuesday afternoon, causing extensive damage to the 63 No. Mariam Government Primary School. The storm blew away the school’s tin roof and destroyed classroom furniture, leaving the building in disarray. No casualties were reported as students had been dismissed early when the sky darkened.

Local residents urged immediate repairs to resume classes, emphasizing the disruption to the learning environment. Headteacher Abul Kashem confirmed that the furniture inside was badly damaged but said timely evacuation prevented injuries. School authorities warned that without quick restoration, continuing educational activities would be difficult.

Upazila Primary Education Officer Md. Riaz Alam stated that photos and details of the damage would be sent to higher authorities for emergency funding. He added that once funds are allocated, repairs will begin promptly to restore normal schooling conditions.

A severe nor'wester accompanied by hail and lightning struck Matlab North in Chandpur on Sunday night, damaging around 445 hectares of farmland, according to preliminary data from the Upazila Agriculture Office. The affected crops include boro paddy, maize, jute, sesame, mung beans, and summer vegetables. The storm followed several days of intense heat, bringing temporary relief but leaving farmers worried about extensive crop losses.

Field visits on Monday revealed that many paddy fields under the Meghna-Dhonagoda irrigation project were ready for harvest, with some farmers already cutting their crops. However, the hailstorm flattened many fields and uprooted trees, disrupting road traffic and electricity supply in several areas. Farmers reported significant damage to ripe paddy, maize, jute, and vegetables, raising concerns about financial losses.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Faisal Mohammad Ali said officials are assessing the exact extent of the damage. Farmers have been advised to move harvested paddy to safe locations and take protective measures for remaining crops.

Europe experienced one of its warmest years in history in 2025, according to a report released Wednesday by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and European Union scientists. The report highlighted widespread heatwaves, record wildfires, glacier melt, and drought across the continent. WMO data indicated that including Greenland and the Caucasus, 2025 was Europe’s hottest year on record, while Copernicus data ranked it second or third when those regions were excluded.

Nearly 99 percent of Europe recorded above-average temperatures, marking the first time almost the entire continent exceeded normal levels. The WMO warned that a powerful El Niño could form by the end of the current year, potentially raising global temperatures through 2027. The UK Met Office suggested this event might evolve into a “super El Niño,” possibly the strongest of the century.

The report also noted unprecedented wildfire damage, record sea surface temperatures for the fourth consecutive year, and alarming glacier loss. Experts said Europe is warming about twice as fast as other continents, urging immediate large-scale climate action.

An unexpected nor'wester accompanied by three days of heavy rain has caused extensive crop damage in Kachua upazila of Chandpur. The storm struck on Sunday evening, uprooting trees, damaging houses, and breaking electric poles. Continuous rainfall from Monday to Wednesday submerged vast areas of ripe and half-ripe boro paddy, maize, and sesame fields, leaving farmers in deep distress during the harvest season.

Field observations showed that large tracts of farmland in Sacher Ghograr Jala, Haripur, Atmor, Joarikhol, Budhunda, Bitara, Jalabitara, and Teteya lowlands were underwater, with around 80 percent of crops submerged. Fearing further water rise, many farmers began cutting half-ripe paddy early. Farmers expressed concern over repaying debts as their crops were destroyed. Kachua Upazila Agriculture Officer Tafu Ahmed advised farmers to harvest their paddy as soon as water recedes and to reinforce maize roots with soil once fields dry.

Officials expect water levels to drop within a few days, but prolonged rainfall could worsen the situation for local farmers.

An elderly woman was killed when a wall collapsed due to heavy rainfall in Chattogram’s Karnaphuli upazila on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. in the Shikalbaha area under the local police beat. The deceased was identified as Delowara Begum, 60, wife of Fazal Ahmed from the Master Hat area. She was taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead after examination.

According to the Chattogram Medical College Hospital police outpost in-charge, the wall beside a road suddenly gave way following intense rainfall, trapping Delowara Begum underneath. Locals rescued her and rushed her to the hospital, but she could not survive her injuries.

The report highlights the impact of heavy rainfall in the region, which has caused structural damage and safety hazards in parts of Chattogram.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) held a seminar and competition titled “PSREF Industrial Energy Challenge: Designing a Green Transition” on April 29, 2026. The event, jointly organized by RUET’s Institute of Energy and Environment Studies (IEES) and the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), focused on sustainable energy, renewable power potential, and industrial green transformation. RUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. S. M. Abdur Razzak attended as chief guest, alongside senior faculty and CPD representatives.

Speakers emphasized the importance of renewable energy research and investment for sustainable development. They discussed plans to install solar power systems on campus dormitory rooftops in collaboration with NESCO to promote green energy use. The PSREF initiative, under CPD’s Power and Energy Studies, aims to expand renewable energy adoption in the private sector through advocacy and collaboration with industry associations.

A total of 33 teams participated in the competition, with 10 reaching the final round. RUET’s “Team Everfresh” won the PSREF Innovator Award, followed by “Team Opchoy Zero” and “Team Greenery Grid.” Organizers said the initiative would raise youth awareness and foster research-driven solutions for a sustainable energy future.

Widespread paddy fields in the haor areas of Kendua and Atpara in Netrokona were submerged within a short time due to continuous rainfall and sudden flooding. Many farmers tried to harvest their crops in waist-deep water but failed to save most of them. Losing their only annual harvest, they now face severe uncertainty about their livelihoods.

Local Member of Parliament Dr. Rafiqul Islam Hilali stated on Facebook that the situation has been brought to the Prime Minister’s attention. Following her directive, the Chief Secretary contacted him, and the district administration was instructed to prepare a three-month rehabilitation and assistance plan for affected farmers. However, on the ground, frustration and anger are evident among farmers who demand permanent solutions instead of temporary aid.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, about 3,100 farmers have been affected in Kendua, with 375 hectares of Boro paddy, 5.5 hectares of vegetables, 5.7 hectares of jute, and 0.45 hectares of Aman seedbeds submerged. The agriculture officer said a list of affected farmers is being prepared for future assistance through the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.