A stretch of the Dhaka–Mymensingh Highway passing through Gazipur’s Bhawal forest has become a visual attraction due to colorful flowers planted along its central divider. The four-lane road, one of the busiest in Bangladesh, now features white, pink, and red blossoms that delight travelers and pedestrians. Many visitors stop to take photos or videos, sharing them on social media, turning the highway into an emerging destination for nature lovers.

The beautification effort, led by the Gazipur Roads and Highways Department, includes thousands of saplings of various species such as krishnachura, radhachura, jarul, and raktokorobi. Officials say the project aims to make the highway both scenic and environmentally friendly. Environmentalists note that the greenery helps reduce air pollution, noise, and glare from vehicle headlights.

However, authorities and locals warn that uncontrolled crowds and risky behavior—such as standing on the divider for photos—pose safety hazards and threaten the plants. They urge stronger traffic enforcement and public awareness to preserve the beauty and safety of the area.

The government of Bangladesh has proposed major amendments to strengthen laws protecting rivers, canals, and coastal areas. Under the draft National River Protection Commission (Amendment) Act 2026, illegal occupation of river land or obstruction of recovery operations will be treated as criminal offenses with doubled penalties. Unlawful extraction of sand, stones, or soil, as well as pollution or damage to navigability, could result in up to five years’ imprisonment and fines of up to 1.5 million taka. The draft also grants all rivers legal personhood and living entity status.

The proposed law aims to make the National River Protection Commission an independent statutory body with authority to investigate, inspect, and take legal action against river encroachment and pollution by any public or private entity. It would also serve as the legal guardian of rivers, canals, and coastal zones. Before any development project near rivers or canals, prior approval from the commission would be mandatory.

Environmental expert Sharif Jamil welcomed the initiative as a positive step for river protection but cautioned that the law’s effectiveness would depend on ensuring the commission’s independence and enforcement capacity.

The confluence of the Padma, Meghna, and Dakatia rivers in Chandpur has become a major attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists. Visitors are drawn by the area’s natural beauty, where the rivers meet to create a sea-like landscape. During Eid and other festive occasions, crowds gather to enjoy boat rides, local food, and the scenic sunset views. The site offers free entry, children’s play areas, and various entertainment options, making it a popular destination year-round.

Chandpur’s municipal administrator Ershad Uddin said the growing number of visitors during Eid has been challenging to manage. He noted that plans are underway to expand facilities at the confluence and the nearby “Mini Cox’s Bazar.” Local MP Sheikh Farid Ahmed Manik stated that tourism development is part of his five-year plan, including a walkway from the New Market–Old Market Bridge to the launch terminal, new hotels, restaurants, cable cars, and floating eateries.

Officials said they intend to seek financial support from the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation to enhance the area’s infrastructure and make Chandpur’s tourist spots more attractive.

A sudden midnight hailstorm struck Nilphamari district’s Domar and Jaldhaka upazilas late Saturday, causing extensive damage to crops and homes. The storm, accompanied by strong winds, left residents struggling as hail battered fields and rooftops, disrupting normal life in the affected areas.

According to local sources, large areas of farmland cultivating maize, chili, potato, and paddy were severely damaged, with many crops flattened to the ground. The intensity of the hailstorm also punctured tin roofs of numerous houses, allowing rainwater to enter and creating panic among residents. Several Hindu religious puja mandaps were also reported damaged.

Locals said they had not witnessed such a severe hailstorm in the past five to seven years. The Department of Agricultural Extension’s deputy director, Manjur Rahman, stated that field inspections are underway to assess the extent of the losses, though no official damage statistics have yet been released.

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has directed authorities to quickly recover nearly seven acres of encroached land belonging to the National Zoo in Mirpur, Dhaka. The instruction came during his unannounced visit to the zoo on Friday, where he entered as a regular visitor by purchasing a ticket. During the inspection, he also ordered immediate improvements in public facilities, including more toilets, expanded seating areas, road repairs, cleanliness, and an increase in the number of animals.

The minister stated that the visit aimed to assess the zoo’s management and environment firsthand. He spoke with zoo officials about animal nutrition, health management, and overall care, and also interacted with visitors to understand their concerns and expectations. He emphasized that visible development work must begin within the current budget.

Tuku noted that while food supply for animals was satisfactory, visitors expected a better environment. He said necessary steps would be taken to make the zoo more organized and visitor-friendly, highlighting its potential as a profitable and attractive public facility.

A devastating fire broke out on Thursday afternoon, March 26, in the Shura Bathan field area near Mia Bagan of Harinakundu upazila in Jhenaidah, burning down four betel leaf farms. Local residents estimated that the blaze caused a total loss of around six lakh taka for four farmers — three brothers named Mamun, Masum, and Ruhul, and another farmer, Emran Hossain.

According to local sources, the fire started suddenly in one of the farms and quickly spread to adjacent ones due to strong winds. Despite efforts by locals to control the flames, all four farms were completely destroyed before the fire was extinguished. Emran Hossain said he had taken loans from several institutions to run his farm and is now uncertain about repaying them.

Harinakundu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Golam Kibria Hasan stated that a police investigation into the incident is ongoing. He added that the fire appears to be an accident rather than an act of sabotage.

A sudden and intense hailstorm on Tuesday night caused extensive damage to Boro rice fields across the haor regions of Kishoreganj, leaving thousands of farmers in Austagram, Itna, and Mithamain deeply worried. The storm, which began around 8 p.m. with strong winds and heavy rain, lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes and struck during a critical growth stage for the rice crop.

Farmers reported that the hail severely battered the rice plants, breaking stems and damaging the developing panicles, which could significantly reduce yields. Local farmer Nurul Islam Laldhon expressed sorrow, saying that hopes for a bumper harvest this year may be shattered by the untimely storm. The full extent of the damage will become clearer after field inspections.

Austagram Upazila Agriculture Officer Abhijit Sarkar said hail was reported in three unions of the upazila. He noted that officials would begin field visits early in the morning to assess the actual scale of the losses.

A 1.5-kilometer canal has been excavated through voluntary labor in Pakundia upazila of Kishoreganj. The initiative was implemented on Monday in the Khama area of Egarosindur Union, where local residents worked throughout the day to connect the Khama Beel and Golduba Beel. More than a hundred volunteers participated in the digging and cleaning activities that began at 8 a.m. and continued until evening.

Organizers stated that the re-excavation of the canal will help reduce waterlogging in the area and enhance irrigation facilities for agriculture. The initiative was led by Khandaker Al Ashraf Mamun, former employment affairs secretary of the Jubo Dal central committee, who said the project was undertaken in response to public calls for community involvement. He expressed hope that local farmers would directly benefit from the canal and that agricultural productivity in the region would increase as a result.

The effort reflects a community-driven approach to addressing local water management and agricultural challenges in rural Kishoreganj.

At least 81 people have died in Kenya this March following continuous heavy rains that triggered flash floods across large parts of the country, authorities said on Sunday. The worst-hit areas include the capital Nairobi, where 37 deaths were reported. Thousands of families have been displaced, and extensive damage to infrastructure and property has been recorded. In Kisumu County, entire villages were submerged, destroying about 1,200 hectares of farmland. In Nyakach, over 3,000 families lost their homes, and residents sought refuge in eight overcrowded shelters.

Local reports described residents wading through knee-deep water and using boats to evacuate. Rising water levels near the Nairobi Dam prompted evacuation warnings amid fears of a possible breach, though the dam remained intact. Police confirmed that 2,690 families were displaced nationwide. Landslides in western Kenya also caused fatalities and buried several homes. Critics have called for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s resignation, citing unfulfilled promises to improve drainage and road infrastructure.

Meteorological forecasts predict continued rainfall until Tuesday, and authorities have urged extreme caution. Scientists cited in the report link the intensifying weather patterns to human-induced climate change, which has increased both heavy rainfall and droughts in East Africa over the past two decades.

Dhaka recorded the world’s highest air pollution level on Monday, March 23, 2026, despite the city being largely empty during the long Eid holiday. According to data from Switzerland-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir, the capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 188, categorizing the air as unhealthy for all residents. The report placed Dhaka at the top among cities in 127 countries.

IQAir’s 10:30 a.m. reading showed Beijing in second place with an AQI of 178, followed by Wuhan at 154, Kampala at 153, and Baghdad at 148. The organization regularly measures global air quality using the AQI system, which indicates pollution levels and associated health risks.

IQAir’s report identified fine particulate matter as the main source of Dhaka’s pollution. The high concentration of these particles poses serious health threats, including respiratory and heart diseases, and long-term risks such as cancer.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms, rain, and gusty winds in three divisions as a seasonal low-pressure area remains over the southern Bay of Bengal. According to the agency, the low’s extension lies over West Bengal and adjoining regions. The forecast issued for Monday evening indicates possible rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, while other areas are expected to remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies.

For Tuesday, similar conditions are expected in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with a slight rise in both day and night temperatures across the country. On Wednesday, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions may experience temporary gusty or squally winds with lightning and rain, while elsewhere the weather will stay mainly dry. Thursday’s forecast suggests possible thunderstorms in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, with temperatures remaining largely unchanged.

The overall outlook indicates a continuation of partly cloudy and mostly dry conditions across most regions, with localized thunderstorm activity in the north and northeast.

Gazipur Safari Park has brought in one male and two female lions from Dulahazra Safari Park in Cox’s Bazar to diversify attractions for visitors during Eid. With the arrival of these lions, the park now houses a total of five lions. The animals have been placed in designated enclosures and have been viewable to visitors since Eid day.

According to park officials, the park, which usually remains closed on Tuesdays, has been kept open this week to accommodate the Eid crowd. This decision was made because many visitors in previous years were unaware of the closure and had to return disappointed. To improve the visitor experience, the park has also renovated its transport buses, now operating seven air-conditioned minibuses for safari tours, along with upgraded food court and sanitation facilities.

Officials said the lions were brought in to replenish the park’s population and that all necessary preparations have been made to ensure visitor safety and service quality. Over 15,000 visitors attended the park on Eid day, according to the authorities.

A scenic spot known as ‘Mini Switzerland’, located about 13 kilometers east of Kuakata Zero Point in Patuakhali, has become a growing attraction for tourists during the Eid holidays. Visitors enjoy the area’s tranquil environment, lush greenery, and the rare opportunity to witness both sunrise and sunset from the same location. Nearby, the ‘Red Crab Island’ adds to the appeal with its distinctive coastal wildlife and serene surroundings.

Local guides and tourism stakeholders explained that the site gained nationwide attention after a travel blogger named Mr. Laxchu shared videos of the area on social media, showcasing its natural beauty. The place, once known only to locals, is now recognized as a potential eco-tourism destination combining nature, peace, and adventure.

Tourism officials and local leaders believe that with proper planning and environmental management, ‘Mini Switzerland’ and its adjacent areas could become one of Bangladesh’s leading eco-tourism hubs, boosting the local economy and creating new employment opportunities.

Dhaka’s air quality remained at an unhealthy level on Sunday, March 22, 2026, despite the city being largely empty during the Eid holidays. According to data from the international air quality monitoring organization IQAir, the capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 165 at 8 a.m., placing it fourth among the world’s most polluted cities. Although traffic and industrial activity have significantly decreased due to the holiday, the expected improvement in air quality has not occurred.

IQAir’s data showed that Delhi topped the list of polluted cities with a score of 193, followed by Beijing at 178 and Incheon at 174. In contrast, Denver in the United States recorded the cleanest air with a score of 39, while Chicago followed with 42. The previous day, Dhaka ranked tenth among 121 cities with an AQI of 117, while Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo led the list with 173.

The persistence of unhealthy air despite reduced human activity highlights the severity of Dhaka’s pollution problem, even during periods of minimal traffic and industrial operations.

An unusual heatwave struck the western United States on Friday, alarming climate scientists who described it as a once-in-500-years event. According to reports from Los Angeles, temperatures broke previous records throughout the week and were expected to remain high through the weekend. The heatwave, initially centered in the western cities, was moving eastward across the country.

In desert areas near the California-Arizona border, four locations recorded 44.4 degrees Celsius on Friday, setting a new national record for March. Weather.com reported that 65 cities, from Arizona and California to Idaho, experienced new March temperature highs. Death Valley reached 40 degrees Celsius, while typically cool San Francisco hit 29 degrees. The U.S. National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for large parts of the Southwest, including Los Angeles, southern California’s coastal areas, and Las Vegas.

The World Weather Attribution group stated that such an event would have been nearly impossible without human-induced climate change, emphasizing its extreme rarity even in a warming climate.