A group of leaders from the central committee of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (student wing) organized an awareness campaign at Dhaka University on April 12, 2026, to promote responsible use of water and electricity. The event began in front of the central library, where leaflets were distributed under the theme “Are we fulfilling our responsibilities in this global crisis?” urging students to reduce waste in daily life.

The campaign, led by the organization’s library secretary Touhidul Islam, emphasized that small acts of negligence—such as leaving lights or taps on unnecessarily—can collectively worsen resource shortages. He noted that conserving electricity and water is not only about saving costs but also about protecting the environment, as excessive energy use increases fuel consumption and pollution.

Touhidul Islam highlighted that residential halls, where many students live together, are particularly vulnerable to waste. He called on students to make conservation a habit, stressing that small steps today could help avert larger crises in the future.

Farmers in the haor areas of Sunamganj are facing severe uncertainty over rice harvesting due to unseasonal rainfall and waterlogging at the start of the season. Around 3,189 hectares of land have already gone underwater, putting immature rice crops at risk of damage. The accumulation of water and mud has disrupted the use of agricultural machinery, while a shortage of laborers has further complicated the situation.

Field visits to areas such as Dekhar, Jhawar, Shanir, and Chayar haors revealed that low-lying fields are already submerged. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, Sunamganj has 137 haors covering about 223,505 hectares of boro rice cultivation, producing around 1.4 million metric tons annually worth about Tk 5,000 crore. However, intermittent rainfall has already damaged crops on nearly 3,000 hectares.

Officials said 577 combined harvesters are currently operational, with 108 under repair. The district administration is coordinating with nearby districts to bring in more harvesters and laborers, while requesting adequate diesel supply to support harvesting operations.

An earthquake was felt in Sylhet and surrounding areas on Sunday morning at 9:21 a.m., according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The quake originated in Silchar, Assam, India, and registered a magnitude of 4.3 on the Richter scale. No casualties or property damage have been reported so far, though residents in border areas experienced panic during the tremor.

Just five days earlier, on April 7, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake had struck the same region, also felt across Sylhet and nearby districts. The recent activity follows a series of tremors recorded in different parts of Bangladesh in recent months.

The report recalls that a 5.7-magnitude earthquake centered in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area on November 21 had caused ten deaths and multiple injuries nationwide, underscoring growing concern over the country’s seismic vulnerability.

The Jamuna River in Sirajganj has turned into a vast stretch of sand, halting normal boat transport and causing severe hardship for thousands of riverside residents. With the riverbed now dominated by sandbars, horse carts have replaced boats for carrying goods. The lack of water has also led to a sharp decline in native fish species, leaving fishermen without their traditional source of income. Locals have demanded river management and dredging to restore navigability.

Once a major waterway in the 1990s supporting steamers, ferries, and ships, the Jamuna has now lost its flow, leaving districts like Kazipur, Sadar, Belkuchi, Chauhali, and Shahjadpur covered in sand. The Water Development Board reported that during the dry season, water flow drops to as low as 3,000 cusecs, compared to 130,000 cusecs in the monsoon. Heavy silt deposits from upstream have turned large areas into sandbanks.

Despite the crisis, farmers have begun cultivating crops such as maize, peanuts, mustard, onions, garlic, and tomatoes on the newly formed fertile land, bringing some economic relief to affected communities.

Masko Group has launched its annual drain cleaning program in the Sataish area of Tongi, Gazipur. The initiative was formally inaugurated on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. by the company’s General Manager, Nazmul Huda Ahmed. He stated that the program aims to reduce the suffering of workers and residents by ensuring smoother movement and minimizing waterlogging in the area.

Several company officials, including Nasir Uddin, Gazi Md. Moniruzzaman, Ruhul Amin Ripon, and Senior Manager Md. Borhan Uddin, attended the event. Local residents and workers expressed hope that the regular cleaning effort would significantly reduce stagnant water problems that often persist for days after rainfall. Business owners also noted that improved drainage could positively impact local commerce by attracting more customers.

According to Masko Group, the cleaning operation will continue for seven consecutive working days. Organizers expect that the initiative will substantially reduce waterlogging and ease public inconvenience in the Sataish area once completed.

A sudden breach in the Gujauni embankment at Dekhar Haor in Sunamganj on Saturday, April 11, 2026, caused floodwaters to rush into hundreds of acres of half-ripe Boro paddy fields. The incident sparked panic among local farmers, many of whom appealed for help through social media as they watched their fields submerge. Witnesses reported that water was entering the haor at high speed, threatening widespread crop damage.

Local residents alleged that a leaseholder of a nearby wetland had failed to properly repair the embankment after fish harvesting, leaving it weak and vulnerable to pressure from rising water. Farmers and local authorities responded urgently, using bamboo, sandbags, and other materials to reinforce the damaged section. Water Development Board officials confirmed that emergency repairs were underway with 100 geo-bags and bamboo, and that water inflow had been stopped.

Officials stated that although the embankment does not fall under the Water Development Board’s jurisdiction, a team was deployed to assist in protecting the crops and stabilizing the structure.

Once a wide, water-filled river, the Teesta has now become largely dry across six northern districts of Bangladesh. The once barren sandbars have transformed into fertile farmlands where local farmers cultivate a variety of crops including pumpkin, bottle gourd, peanuts, maize, sesame, wheat, mustard, garlic, rice, onions, and chilies. Farmers in Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, and Nilphamari report that they now earn their livelihoods from these crops, selling produce worth hundreds of millions of taka each season.

Local farmers describe how they have turned adversity into opportunity. During floods, they lose homes and crops, but when the water recedes, they cultivate the exposed char lands. They receive agricultural incentives and guidance from local offices, though transportation remains a major challenge, as produce must be carried by horse carts across sandy terrain. Farmers say better transport support could help them earn higher prices.

Regional agricultural officials confirm that Teesta’s char lands now contribute significantly to national food production. Training and advice are being provided to help farmers increase yields and profits from short-duration crops.

A joint operation was conducted in the Padma River at Goalanda in Rajbari on Friday, April 10, 2026, as part of the National Hilsa Conservation Week 2026. Members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard and officials from the Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer’s office carried out the daylong drive. During the operation, approximately one lakh meters of illegal current nets were seized from various points of the river and later destroyed publicly by burning.

According to the Upazila Fisheries Office, such operations are being conducted regularly to ensure the success of the hilsa conservation program. The joint initiative by the Coast Guard and the Fisheries Department aims to stop illegal fishing practices and protect the country’s fish resources.

Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Md. Anwarul Islam Pilot stated that the authorities are taking strict measures to enforce the government’s ban on catching juvenile hilsa. He emphasized that continued awareness and law enforcement are essential to end illegal fishing activities.

Several upazilas in Habiganj have been severely affected by continuous rainfall over recent days, leaving vast areas of boro paddy fields underwater. The flooding has hit Nabiganj, Baniachong, Ajmiriganj, and Lakhai upazilas, where ripe and semi-ripe paddy crops are now at risk of rotting. Farmers, many of whom are sharecroppers or debt-burdened, have become desperate as their harvest prospects vanish.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, around 281 hectares of land were submerged as of April 7, with Baniachong being the worst affected. However, local sources and farmers estimate the damage to exceed 1,350 hectares. The Ratna River embankment has been overflowing for a week, flooding new areas daily. Local officials said about 7,000 bighas of unharvested paddy are already underwater. Farmers described their losses as devastating, with many unsure how to repay loans or feed their families.

Officials from the Water Development Board said canal re-excavation projects under JICA are planned to improve drainage. However, the agricultural department warned that the water level is unlikely to recede soon, as the floodwater is mainly from rainfall rather than river overflow.

In Nilphamari district of northern Bangladesh, nearly 40 rivers have become waterless or nearly dead due to severe water shortages and siltation. The Water Development Board reports that these rivers, once navigable and vital for transport and fishing, now have depths of only three to five feet. Farmers are cultivating crops such as boro rice, maize, tobacco, garlic, and onion on the dried riverbeds. Experts attribute the crisis to unilateral water withdrawal by India and the construction of the Gajoldoba Barrage upstream on the Teesta River, which has drastically reduced water flow.

The drying of rivers has caused widespread environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and severe hardship for fishing communities. Over 50,000 fisher families are reportedly living in distress as fish populations have declined sharply. The Water Development Board has proposed dredging projects to restore navigability, but these remain stalled due to lack of approval. Local residents and officials are calling for national-level studies and coordinated action to revive the rivers and prevent recurring floods during monsoon seasons.

Agricultural experts warn that unplanned groundwater extraction and climate change are further threatening the region’s agriculture and ecology, turning former wetlands into farmland and accelerating biodiversity loss.

Ferry and vessel movement on the Daulatdia-Paturia river route resumed around 7:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, after being suspended for about one and a half hours due to dense morning fog. The suspension began at approximately 5:45 a.m. when visibility on the Padma River dropped sharply, obscuring channel markers and navigation lights and creating safety risks. Authorities halted all types of river transport, including ferries, to prevent possible accidents.

During the suspension, passenger buses, cargo trucks, private cars, and motorcycles were stranded at both Daulatdia and Paturia terminals, causing temporary inconvenience for travelers and drivers. Once the fog cleared and visibility improved, ferry operations gradually returned to normal.

According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Daulatdia office, the temporary halt was a precautionary measure to avoid potential river accidents. Currently, twelve ferries of various sizes are operating regularly on this key river route.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported a sharp rise in temperatures across the country as rainfall decreased significantly. In the past 24 hours, Dhaka’s temperature climbed by 5.6 degrees Celsius, reaching 31.6°C, while the highest temperature was recorded in Jashore at 34.8°C. Only 16 of 51 weather stations recorded rainfall, with the highest at 31 millimeters in Dimla, Nilphamari. The department forecast that most parts of the country will remain dry over the next two days, except for isolated areas in Rangpur and Sylhet.

Officials said a new heatwave could begin on Saturday and persist for several days, with daytime and nighttime temperatures expected to rise further over the next five days. Earlier forecasts indicated one to three heatwaves could occur this month. Meteorologists explained that mild heatwaves occur between 36°C and 37.9°C, moderate between 38°C and 39.9°C, and severe above 40°C.

Although heatwaves are expected, experts noted that intermittent rainfall may prevent conditions from reaching the extreme levels seen in 2023 and 2024.

The '36 July Memorial' in Chattogram’s New Market area, built to honor the martyrs of the July Revolution, has turned into a garbage dump less than three months after its inauguration on February 5, 2026. The site, located on railway land behind a police box, is now surrounded by waste, weeds, and debris. Locals report that the area has become a hub for drug users and muggers at night, while nearby traders and drivers use it as a dumping ground and parking space, creating noise, pollution, and foul odor.

Local activists, July Revolution veterans, and civic groups have expressed outrage, calling the neglect a sign of government disregard for the movement’s legacy. They accuse various authorities—including the district administration, railway, and public works department—of shifting responsibility instead of maintaining the site. Activists also criticized the memorial’s hidden location and lack of visibility.

Chattogram’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Sharif Uddin acknowledged the problem, citing public irresponsibility and promising sustainable cleaning measures through a coordination committee involving relevant agencies.

A severe shortage of safe drinking water has persisted for years in the hilly border areas of Durgapur upazila in Netrokona. Thousands of residents in Kullagora and Sadar unions, including villages such as Gopalpur, Bhabanipur, Fanda, Baromari, Bharatpur, and Gazikona, are forced to collect and drink dirty water from mountain streams. Locals, including elderly residents like Minati Hajong, described the daily hardship of fetching water from muddy sources, often leading to illness.

Community members expressed frustration that despite repeated appeals, no permanent solution has been implemented. Leaders from the Hajong community, including the president of the Bangladesh National Hajong Organization, urged the government to launch a large-scale project to supply clean water through pipelines. Public Health Engineering Department officials acknowledged the challenge of installing deep tube wells due to rocky soil but said a project has been proposed and will begin once approved.

Local authorities, including the upazila executive officer and the area’s member of parliament, stated that deep tube wells are being allocated and installed gradually to ensure safe water access for all affected villages.

Two hotel owners in Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet have been fined and sentenced for dumping waste beside Joybunnecha Girls High School. The mobile court, led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Munmun Nahar, conducted the operation on Wednesday afternoon following a report published on April 3 about the persistent waste problem near the school. The owner of Capital Hotel was initially sentenced to five years in prison and fined 20,000 taka under three sections of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, but the jail term was waived after he promised to build a drainage system within a week and apologized for his actions.

The owner of Gram Bangla Hotel was fined 2,000 taka for dumping garbage next to the school wall and was strictly warned against repeating the offense. The operation freed around 200 students from the foul odor and improved the school’s environment. The administration announced that regular monitoring would continue to protect the school’s surroundings and directed steps to establish a permanent waste management system in the area.

The school’s teachers and students expressed relief and gratitude, hoping that the initiative would restore a healthy learning environment soon.