Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie announced that the government plans to plant 2.5 billion trees over the next five years to protect coastal communities from natural disasters. The initiative aims to create a strong green belt along the coastline to mitigate the impacts of cyclones, tidal surges, and floods. The minister made the announcement while addressing a national seminar titled “If the Coast Survives, Bangladesh Survives,” organized by the Coastal Development Foundation at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

He said Bangladesh is among the six most disaster-prone regions in the world and recalled the devastating cyclone of April 29, 1991, which struck several coastal districts. The government also plans to construct sustainable embankments, establish sufficient cyclone shelters, and take coordinated measures for disaster management. Additionally, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government will revive the canal excavation program initiated by former President Ziaur Rahman, targeting 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, ponds, and reservoirs for excavation and re-excavation.

The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr. Mohammad Kamal Hossain, with several members of parliament from Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram attending as special guests.

Severe river erosion has struck Babuganj upazila in Barishal even before the monsoon season has fully begun, with the Sandhya, Sugandha, and Arial Khan rivers eroding rapidly. The erosion has placed homes, farmland, educational institutions, and key infrastructure at serious risk, with the century-old Babuganj market facing the greatest threat. Areas near the Barishal airport, Bakultala station, and parts of Dakshin Bhuterdiya are also in danger.

Local residents report that river erosion has been a persistent problem for decades, swallowing hundreds of acres of farmland and displacing families. Temporary measures by the Water Development Board, such as placing sand-filled geobags, have proven inadequate. Residents are demanding a permanent solution as more homes and institutions, including Char Sadhukathi Islamia Fazil Madrasa, face imminent danger.

Barishal-3 MP Zainul Abedin stated that preventing river erosion in Babuganj is his top priority, and a Tk 550-crore project proposal to protect Babuganj and Uzirpur is awaiting approval by the Planning Commission. Officials believe the project could safeguard Babuganj market and nearby critical areas from further destruction.

Extensive farmlands in various areas of Kaliakoir upazila in Gazipur have been submerged due to continuous rainfall, leaving local farmers in severe distress. According to local sources, four days of rain combined with hill runoff from the north have flooded low-lying areas, damaging crops at the start of the Irri-Boro season. Many farmers have been forced to harvest half-ripe paddy early, while others have seen their fields completely submerged.

Farmers from villages such as Rashidpur and Medi Ashulai reported that large portions of their paddy fields are underwater, with some waiting for the water to recede to prevent total crop loss. Abdul Malek of Rashidpur said nearly two bighas of his land are submerged, while another farmer, Mostafa, noted he had to harvest prematurely to save what he could.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Zahid Hasan stated that the situation is being closely monitored and that farmers are being advised to harvest their crops quickly to minimize damage.

In Dingapota Haor of Mohanganj upazila, Netrokona, ripe boro paddy fields have gone underwater after continuous heavy rain and water inflow from Sunamganj caused a breach in the haor protection embankment. The harvesting season had begun in early April, but the sudden flooding has submerged large portions of the crop.

Local farmers reported that this year’s yield was abundant, with most fields planted with BRRI-88 rice variety producing 8–10 maunds per katha. However, due to torrential rain and poor road conditions, they were unable to harvest in time. Farmers expressed frustration that despite successive governments, no sustainable embankment or road improvement has been implemented in the haor area.

According to the Mohanganj Agriculture Extension Office, boro rice is cultivated on 6,000–7,000 hectares in Dingapota Haor each year, producing over 6–7 metric tons per hectare. Farmers estimate that more than 50 percent of this year’s crop is now submerged.

Continuous rainfall and upstream water flow caused a dam to collapse in the Bolai River area of Chamardani Union, Madhyanagar upazila, Sunamganj. The breach allowed floodwater to inundate vast boro paddy fields in Jinaria Haor, destroying the year-long efforts of more than fifty farmers who had temporarily settled there for cultivation. The incident occurred on Thursday morning following days of heavy rain and strong water pressure.

Local farmers said they had left their permanent homes and lived for six months in temporary settlements near the haor to grow crops. Many endured hardships, including halting their children's education, to sustain their livelihoods. After the dam broke, their crops and investments were lost under water. One farmer said he had cultivated the land with great effort but lost everything, while another reported that his 20 kathas of land were submerged before harvest.

According to the upazila agriculture sub-assistant officer, 26 hectares of land were under cultivation in Jinaria Haor, of which 8 hectares were already waterlogged before the breach, and an additional 3 hectares went underwater afterward.

Chattogram city experienced severe waterlogging again on Wednesday morning following heavy rain. By 1 p.m., knee-deep water was reported at Probortok Moor, where roads were empty of vehicles and pedestrians. Shops were partially flooded, and some owners stood helplessly by their half-closed shutters. Only a few rickshaws and motorcycles attempted to move through the water, often stalling mid-road.

The flooding extended beyond Probortok Moor to nearby areas including Muradpur, Soloshahar, Bahaddarhat, Chawk Bazar, and Katalganj. Residents reported water entering ground floors and kitchens, disrupting daily life. A business owner said his warehouse goods worth several lakh taka were damaged without insurance or compensation. Locals expressed frustration over recurring inundation and the lack of a permanent solution.

Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain stated that the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is responsible for the waterlogging mitigation project, though he feels a moral duty to stand by citizens during such crises.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed regret to the residents of Chattogram for the ongoing waterlogging problem in the city. Speaking in the National Parliament on Wednesday, he responded to a point of order raised by Chattogram–10 MP Saeed Al Noman, who described the city’s severe flooding and urged immediate government action. The Prime Minister acknowledged the suffering of residents and said efforts were underway to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Rahman noted that waterlogging was not limited to Chattogram but affected other parts of the country, including Dhaka. He recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had previously addressed such problems through canal excavation and reservoir creation, and said the current government had resumed similar initiatives. He emphasized that public awareness was crucial, as indiscriminate dumping of plastic and waste continued to block canals and drains despite cleaning efforts.

The Prime Minister also addressed concerns about heavy rainfall in haor regions, assuring that affected farmers in several districts would receive government assistance over the next three months.

In Dirai upazila of Sunamganj, heavy rainfall has submerged 600 hectares of ripe paddy fields during the current harvesting season. According to the Upazila Agriculture Extension Department, the total cultivated area in the region is 30,178 hectares, with 16,738 hectares currently under standing crops. On Tuesday, the area recorded 30 millimeters of rainfall, which led to waterlogging in many fields.

Farmers reported that the excessive rain caused water accumulation in the fields before the paddy had fully matured, preventing harvesting machines from entering the waterlogged areas. Additionally, a shortage of laborers has made it difficult for farmers to harvest the ripe paddy in time. A farmer from Bharam Haor in Sarmangal Union expressed distress, saying most of his land is underwater and that drying harvested paddy has become impossible due to lack of sunlight and drying space.

The situation has raised concerns about potential crop losses and food insecurity among local farmers if the water does not recede soon.

Water levels in two major rivers of Netrokona district have risen above the danger mark, according to local authorities on April 29, 2026. The Bhugai-Kangsha River was flowing 82 centimeters above the danger level at the Jaria-Jhanjail point, while the Someshwari River was 50 centimeters and the Magra River 2 centimeters above the danger level. The Water Development Board confirmed that 68 millimeters of rainfall was recorded in Jaria-Jhanjail and 55 millimeters in Durgapur.

The district’s agriculture department reported that in the current season, 21,065 hectares of land in Kolmakanda have been cultivated with Boro paddy, including 4,630 hectares in the haor areas. As of noon on the reporting day, only 45 percent of the paddy had been harvested. Heavy rainfall has already submerged 600 hectares of ripe paddy fields.

Officials are monitoring the situation closely as rising river levels and continued rainfall pose risks to unharvested crops in the low-lying haor regions.

Heavy rain and stormy weather have affected Bangladesh since early morning on April 29, 2026, with continuous rainfall in Dhaka and coastal districts in the south. The Meteorological Department has issued warnings for heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and possible landslides in hilly areas. Maritime ports have been advised to hoist signal number three, while river ports have been placed under signal number one. Ferry and launch services on the Paturia-Daulatdia and Aricha-Kazirhat routes were suspended from 6 a.m. due to strong winds and heavy rain.

Meteorologists Dr. Omar Faruk and Dr. Bazlur Rashid described the situation as disastrous, urging public caution against lightning strikes. Rainfall data show Bhola recorded the highest at 152 millimeters, followed by Feni, Srimangal, and Comilla. The weather office forecasts continued rain until May 3, with the possibility of temporary waterlogging and landslides in Chattogram. The Bay of Bengal remains rough due to pressure differences, prompting warnings for fishing boats to stay near the coast.

Temperatures are expected to drop further nationwide as the low-pressure system persists, ending the recent heatwave that had gripped several regions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has announced that both city corporations are implementing various measures to transform the capital into a clean and green city. He made the statement on Wednesday morning while responding to a question from a member of parliament. According to him, Dhaka North City Corporation plans to plant 500,000 trees over the next five years, and initiatives are underway to achieve zero waste management across the city.

The Prime Minister added that efforts are being made to gradually develop basic facilities across the country to reduce pressure on the capital. He also mentioned that 37,814 women heads of families have received financial support through the Family Card program. The government will not print new money for the Family Card or Farmer Card schemes.

Rahman further stated that the government plans to expand the existing Mother and Child Support Program by increasing financial benefits and the number of beneficiaries, and by including prenatal, postnatal, vaccination, and institutional delivery services.

Severe riverbank erosion along the Brahmaputra River in Roumari upazila of Kurigram has destroyed about one hundred hectares of farmland over the past 18 days, leaving more than 700 families homeless. The river has also devoured two government primary schools and several other structures, forcing residents to spend sleepless nights in fear. Many displaced families are now living in makeshift shelters along roadsides or on others’ land after losing their homes multiple times.

Local residents expressed deep frustration over the lack of effective government measures despite the erosion continuing for months. Victims described repeated losses of homes and land, with many widows, elderly people, and persons with disabilities struggling to survive. A union council member confirmed that a list of 720 affected families has been submitted to the chairman, but no action has yet been taken.

An official from the Kurigram Water Development Board said the matter has been reported to higher authorities and that work will begin once funds are allocated, though no emergency budget is currently available.

Continuous heavy rainfall in Sunamganj has caused embankments to break, allowing water to enter the haor areas and triggering fears of flooding. Farmers are struggling to harvest ripe boro paddy as waterlogging and labor shortages worsen the situation. In several places, harvesters cannot enter the fields due to standing water, and harvested paddy cannot be dried because of the lack of sunlight.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, boro paddy was cultivated on 223,511 hectares across 137 haors this season, with a production target of about 1.4 million metric tons worth around Tk 5,000 crore. So far, 53,640 hectares have been harvested, but waterlogging and labor shortages persist. The Water Development Board reported that 702 embankment projects covering 602 kilometers were built or repaired this year at a cost of Tk 145 crore, yet the structures have weakened under continuous rain.

Local reports from Madhyanagar indicate that a rural embankment in Banshikunda South Union collapsed early Tuesday, flooding nearby fields. Farmers fear losing half of their standing crops as repair efforts remain stalled, and officials are working with farmers to harvest vulnerable fields quickly.

Bangladesh today observes April 29 as a day of mourning, remembering the catastrophic cyclone that struck the country on this day in 1991. The storm, known as Cyclone Gorky, hit the Chattogram coast with winds reaching 155 miles per hour, destroying vast coastal regions and killing more than 200,000 people. Millions were left homeless, and property losses were estimated at two billion dollars. The cyclone affected 19 districts and 102 upazilas, with the worst damage reported in Sandwip, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Kutubdia, Bhola, and Teknaf.

The storm originated as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal on April 22, 1991, intensified over the following days, and made landfall on April 29. Many residents failed to reach shelters despite warnings, leading to the high death toll. The tidal surge swept away crops, livestock, and naval and air force infrastructure in coastal and port areas.

Even after 35 years, large parts of Bangladesh’s coastal belt remain vulnerable, with fragile embankments in Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Pekua, Eidgaon, Cox’s Bazar Sadar, and Teknaf posing ongoing risks to residents.

Continuous rainfall has caused rivers in Bangladesh’s northeastern districts to swell rapidly. On Tuesday evening, the Juri River in Moulvibazar flowed 96 centimeters above the danger level, while the Manu, Dhalai, and Kushiyara rivers were nearing critical points. According to the Moulvibazar Water Development Board, upstream rainfall is driving the rise in water levels across the region.

The Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre reported heavy to very heavy rainfall over the haor basin and upstream areas during the previous 24 hours, warning that flooding could develop in low-lying areas of Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Netrokona within three days. Between April 25 and 28, Moulvibazar recorded 269 millimeters of rainfall. Local agricultural officials said 369 hectares of Boro rice fields in Moulvibazar have been submerged due to flash floods and rainwater.

Forecasts indicate continued heavy rainfall over the next three days, with scattered thunderstorms, hail, and nor’wester activity expected across several divisions within 36 to 48 hours.