Dhaka experienced severe cold and dense fog on Friday morning, disrupting normal life across the capital. The city was covered in a thick layer of fog from dawn, forcing vehicles to move with headlights on due to poor visibility. The biting cold and chilly winds made it difficult for residents to cope, even with multiple layers of warm clothing. As it was a holiday, fewer people were seen on the roads, but those who ventured out faced significant discomfort.

According to weather updates, the country’s overall weather may remain dry with partly cloudy skies. Moderate to dense fog is likely to occur in many areas from midnight to morning, possibly persisting until noon in some places. The intensity of cold has increased across the country, including Dhaka, with forecasts suggesting that the cold conditions may continue for several days.

The weather office also indicated that after January 4, the cold may intensify again, while 17 districts are expected to see a gradual reduction in the ongoing cold wave.

At least 17 people have been killed and 11 injured after sudden floods struck several regions of Afghanistan following heavy rain and snowfall, according to reports on Thursday. In Herat province’s Kabkan area, five members of a single family died when their house roof collapsed. The governor’s spokesperson, Mohammad Yusuf Saeedi, confirmed that two of the victims were children.

Mohammad Yusuf Hammad, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), said the casualties occurred in flood-affected districts since Monday. The floods have disrupted daily life across northern, southern, and western parts of the country. Infrastructure damage and livestock deaths have been reported, with around 1,800 families affected. Observation teams have been deployed to the worst-hit areas.

The report noted that decades of conflict, weak infrastructure, deforestation, and the intensifying effects of climate change have worsened the impact of natural disasters, particularly in remote regions. In August, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake killed more than 1,400 people in Afghanistan.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has reported that a mild cold wave is currently sweeping across 16 districts, including Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Jessore, and Sylhet. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly over the next two days, easing the cold conditions temporarily. However, the department forecasts that temperatures will fall again after January 4, leading to another spell of cold weather across parts of the country.

According to the latest forecast, nighttime temperatures may increase slightly while daytime temperatures could rise by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius. The weather is expected to remain dry with partly cloudy skies. Moderate to dense fog may occur from midnight to morning in many areas, potentially disrupting air, river, and road transport. The highest temperature recorded on Thursday was 26.5°C in Teknaf, while the lowest was 7.8°C in Jessore.

Meteorologist Tariful Newaz Kabir stated that as January is typically the coldest month of the season, the intensity of winter may increase later in the month.

Dinajpur is experiencing severe cold as the temperature dropped to 9.9 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026, according to the local weather office. The temperature had been 12.1 degrees Celsius on December 31, 2025. The cold wave has affected both humans and animals, with dense fog and chilly winds intensifying the situation. The humidity level was recorded at 96 percent.

The cold has severely impacted the lives of the poor and day laborers, many of whom are struggling to find work and shelter. The absence of sunlight from December 27 to 30 worsened the conditions, and even when the sun appeared on December 31, the warmth was minimal. The biting cold has made life nearly stagnant across the district.

Hospitals, including Dinajpur Medical College Hospital and local health complexes, have reported an increase in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses. Children and the elderly are particularly affected, with many admitted due to respiratory and seasonal ailments.

A permanent structure is being built illegally on the Kumar River in Borodia area of Gatti Union, Saltha upazila, Faridpur. On Wednesday, December 31, a local resident named Zia Fakir was found constructing a concrete building by filling part of the river near the Swarupdia-Borodia Government Primary School. Around eight to ten workers were seen working at the site using bricks, sand, and cement. Locals fear the construction is obstructing the river’s natural flow and threatening the environment and public interest.

Residents said the Kumar River was once a vital water source that enriched farmland during monsoon seasons. However, years of illegal encroachment and landfilling have narrowed the river, causing waterlogging in the rainy season and drying it up in the dry months. Locals warned that continued encroachment could lead to severe ecological damage.

Saltha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Saiful Islam stated he was unaware of the construction and has informed the assistant commissioner (land). Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Mamun Sarkar confirmed that building within the river is illegal and said legal action will be taken after investigation.

Nepal has decided to cancel the 'deposit scheme' introduced to keep Mount Everest free from pollution. The government made the decision after 11 years of implementation, citing a lack of expected results. Under the scheme, climbers were required to deposit a certain amount of money before their ascent, refundable only if they brought down at least eight kilograms of waste. Despite most climbers reclaiming their deposits, the overall pollution level on Everest showed little improvement, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Himala Gautam, Director of Nepal’s Tourism Department, said the project failed to play an effective role in environmental protection and instead created administrative complications. Climbers often collected waste from lower camps, leaving the higher camps neglected. Shering Sherpa, Chief Executive of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, noted that the most severe pollution persists in the upper camps, where tents, plastic cans, food packets, and used oxygen cylinders are still abandoned.

Experts pointed out that each climber generates about 12 kilograms of waste per expedition, while the rule required only eight kilograms to be brought down. They emphasized the need for more practical and effective policies to protect Everest’s environment.

Ferry operations on the Daulatdia–Paturia route, one of Bangladesh’s key river crossings, returned to normal after being suspended for nearly five hours due to dense fog. The suspension began around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday when heavy fog over the Padma River drastically reduced visibility, prompting authorities to halt all ferry and vessel movement for safety reasons.

According to port sources, navigation became difficult as the fog obscured directions on the river, leading to the decision to stop operations to protect passengers and vehicles. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the river, causing severe inconvenience to travelers. Once the fog lifted and visibility improved around 9:30 a.m., ferry and vessel services resumed under the supervision of the Daulatdia and Paturia terminal authorities.

Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) confirmed that such disruptions are common during winter when dense fog frequently affects ferry movement, impacting travel and goods transport to the country’s southern regions.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) held a celebration in Uttara on Monday marking the restoration of the long-lost Konai River within the capital. The event, titled “Lost Konai River Restoration Celebration,” was attended by DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz as chief guest, along with environmental leaders from BAPA and the Water Development Board. DNCC reported that the river, once vanished from city maps, now flows again through a nine-kilometer navigable stretch following field studies, eviction drives, and cleaning operations.

Speakers at the event praised the initiative as a model for reviving Dhaka’s waterways. Local residents expressed gratitude, noting that areas once walkable are now navigable by boat. Environmental activists highlighted the importance of maintaining the restored river through community stewardship and tree planting instead of embankments. BAPA’s general secretary suggested that properly planned river restorations around Dhaka could create attractive tourism zones.

According to DNCC, dredging from Abdullahpur embankment to Bawnia canal recovered a 3.18-kilometer section, reconnecting the full nine-kilometer waterway known locally as Khidir Khal, which joins the Turag River.

Bangladesh is experiencing severe cold across the country despite the absence of an official cold wave, according to the Meteorological Department on December 29, 2025. Persistent dense fog has blocked sunlight for days, causing daytime temperatures to fall unusually low. Northern regions have faced this condition for a week, while the capital has endured it for four days. Meteorologists said the situation may continue for another three to four days, with a possible cold wave around January 3.

The lowest temperature on Monday was recorded at 10°C in Nikli, Kishoreganj, while Naogaon’s Badalgachhi saw 11.7°C. Dhaka recorded a minimum of 13.8°C and a maximum of 15.5°C. The department described the situation as severe and disaster-like, noting that the difference between maximum and minimum temperatures has narrowed, intensifying the cold feeling. Dense fog and chilly winds have disrupted daily life, transport, and business activities.

Hospitals are seeing rising numbers of patients with cold-related illnesses such as fever, cough, and respiratory problems. Street vendors in Dhaka reported increased sales of winter clothing, while day laborers continue to struggle in the biting cold.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that night temperatures across the country may drop slightly within the next 24 hours, increasing the feeling of cold. The forecast, issued on Monday morning, also warned that moderate to dense fog may form in various parts of the country from midnight to morning, with some areas experiencing it until noon.

According to the department, the weather is expected to remain dry with partly cloudy skies nationwide. The fog could disrupt air travel, inland water transport, and road communication. The lowest temperature in the country was recorded at 10 degrees Celsius in Nikli, Kishoreganj. The Met Office attributed the current conditions to the extension of a subcontinental high-pressure zone over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low lies over the South Bay of Bengal extending to the northeast.

The department noted that while daytime temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged, the cold sensation will persist in many regions due to foggy conditions.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that temperatures in Dhaka and surrounding areas will remain nearly unchanged. The six-hour forecast issued from 7 a.m. on Monday indicates that the sky may remain partly cloudy and the weather mostly dry. Moderate to dense fog is expected to occur during this period.

According to the department, winds from the north-northwest may blow at speeds of 8 to 12 kilometers per hour. The temperature recorded in Dhaka at 6 a.m. was 14 degrees Celsius, with the day’s minimum temperature measured at 13.8 degrees Celsius. The forecast suggests that daytime temperatures will remain almost steady.

The weather office’s message comes amid reports of cold conditions across the country, with cold waves sweeping through various regions and intensifying winter chill in Dhaka and beyond.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has suspended all passenger vessel operations between Barishal and the rest of the country due to dense fog. The decision, announced around 7 p.m. on Sunday, affects both the Barishal–Dhaka route and all internal waterways in the region. Thousands of passengers were forced to leave terminals after the sudden suspension, which authorities said was necessary to prevent accidents and ensure safety.

According to BIWTA officials in Barishal, the abrupt increase in fog has heightened the risk of river accidents, prompting the emergency measure. Launch owners confirmed that several scheduled departures, including MV Aman Khan-7, MV Parabat-10, MV Parabat-12, Suravi-7, and Bhaira, were canceled, and cabin passengers received ticket refunds. Many travelers expressed frustration over the disruption, noting that alternative bus tickets were unavailable at the start of the workweek.

BIWTA stated that the suspension will remain in effect until further notice, emphasizing that passenger safety remains the top priority.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended all passenger vessel operations across the country on Sunday evening, citing dense fog as the reason. The suspension began after sunset from Dhaka’s Sadarghat terminal, halting launches bound for Chandpur and the southern regions. A special navigation notice confirmed the shutdown and instructed vessels already en route to follow the Inland Water Transport Ordinance of 1976.

According to BIWTA officials stationed at Sadarghat, launches to Barishal and other southern destinations usually depart after evening, but they had not received prior warnings from the Meteorological Department about the heavy fog. The sudden suspension left many passengers stranded and facing difficulties at the terminal.

The BIWTA also extended the suspension directive to other regions, indicating that all passenger launches nationwide would remain halted until visibility improves.

Bangladesh recorded its lowest temperature of the season in Nikli upazila of Kishoreganj on Sunday morning. According to the first-class weather observatory in Nikli, the temperature was measured at 9.8 degrees Celsius at 9 a.m., marking the lowest in the country. The cold wave has significantly disrupted daily life in the haor region.

Local residents described the cold as unusually severe. Pedestrian Md. Imam Hossain, 65, said he had never experienced such intense cold before and that movement had become difficult. Freedom fighter Idris Ali, 72, noted that public life in Nikli had nearly come to a standstill, with the poor, children, and elderly suffering the most from the biting cold.

Senior observer Akhtaruzzaman Faruk reported that temperatures in Kishoreganj had been dropping for several days due to dense fog and cold winds. He added that the temperature might continue to fall in the coming days as the cold wave persists.

Large-scale illegal sand extraction has severely damaged hills and streams in Bahubal upazila of Habiganj. Over recent months, sand looters have cut through hills and channels, removing vast quantities of valuable silica sand. The report states that these groups are not ordinary traders but politically connected networks operating at night. Their activities have caused major damage to the road passing through the 10th section of Amtali Plantation in Vadeswar Union, turning parts of it into a canal and triggering hill collapses.

According to the upazila administration, no sand quarry has been officially leased in Bahubal during the current fiscal year. Yet, politically linked sand syndicates based in Mirpur continue to control the illegal extraction from Mushai Hill. The Amtali Plantation authorities have strengthened night patrols to stop the theft, while the administration has conducted multiple raids in Sundratiki stream, Mushai Hill, and deep forest areas.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md. Mahbubul Islam said that operations against sand smuggling and soil cutting are ongoing, with fines and jail terms being imposed. The administration plans to continue these enforcement drives.