A workshop titled “Climate-Resilient Beekeeping for Livelihood Development in Bangladesh” was held at Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) on Wednesday morning. The event took place at the university’s old auditorium and was implemented under the Higher Education Acceleration and Transformation (HEAT) project. The session aimed to promote sustainable beekeeping practices amid climate challenges, improve bee health and queen production, encourage research and innovation, strengthen industry collaboration, and make beekeeping a stable and profitable livelihood for farmers and entrepreneurs.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman attended as the chief guest, while Professor Dr. Md. Ahsanul Haque Swapon chaired the session. Representatives from leading agricultural research institutes, including BARI, BRRI, and the Sugarcane Research Institute, along with professors, researchers, and students from several universities, participated. Dr. Haque presented the keynote paper highlighting the potential of beekeeping in addressing climate challenges and the plan to establish an “ApiHealth Research Center.”

The event concluded with an open discussion led by the Vice-Chancellor, emphasizing beekeeping’s role in sustainable livelihoods, nutrition security, and environmental conservation. A symbolic beehive was presented to the Vice-Chancellor as a token of appreciation.

An unapproved stone crushing operation named Al-Madina Wash Plan has been accused of causing severe environmental damage near the Dhaka-Tangail highway in Achimotla area of Jamurki Union, Mirzapur upazila, Tangail. The activity reportedly continues day and night without proper authorization or required documentation, producing noise and dust pollution that threaten local residents, businesses, and workers’ health.

Local residents complained that the constant machine noise and dust make daily life difficult, covering nearby shops and obstructing movement along the road. The owner, Suman Khan, claimed to have a trade license but was unaware of other necessary permits. Officials from the Department of Environment and the Mirzapur Upazila administration said they were not aware of the operation but promised to investigate and take action if irregularities are found.

The ongoing unregulated activity has raised concerns about environmental degradation and public health risks in the area, prompting calls from residents for relocation of the facility to a more suitable site.

Experts at a seminar in Dhaka have called for strict implementation of the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) to mitigate earthquake risks. The event, titled “Earthquake: Bangladesh Perspective,” was held on April 24, 2026, at the DRU’s Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium. Organized by the Progressive Engineers, Planners and Architects Society, the seminar was chaired by Engineer Mir Mosharraf Hossain Chowdhury and conducted by Engineer Imran Habib Rumon. Participants included academics from BUET, RUET, and Jahangirnagar University.

Speakers noted that recent seismic activity, including a 5.4 magnitude quake on November 21, 2025, has heightened public concern. They reported that nearly a hundred earthquakes were recorded in Bangladesh and nearby areas during the first four months of 2026, with 15–20 felt by residents. The experts warned that limited seismograph coverage and inadequate data collection hinder research, forcing reliance on foreign sources.

They emphasized updating the 2020 building code’s seismic zoning, improving design approval oversight, and enforcing licensing and certification in construction. The speakers also urged stronger professional involvement, anti-corruption measures, and local disaster preparedness through trained rescue teams and public awareness.

A severe wildfire has spread across a northern Japanese city, prompting authorities to urge more than 2,500 residents to evacuate to safe locations. Government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said the fire began two days earlier and by Friday morning had burned over 400 hectares of mountainous land in the Iwate region. Flames were advancing toward homes in the local town of Otsuchi, while thick smoke was visible from nearby forests.

Officials said the prolonged dry winter has heightened the risk of wildfires. Last year, a blaze in Iwate’s Ofunato city was considered Japan’s most severe wildfire in half a century. Kihara added that firefighting efforts have been intensified, with around 700 firefighters and 13 aircraft deployed to contain the flames.

As of 5 a.m. Friday, public broadcaster NHK reported that 329 residents had taken shelter in evacuation centers. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as firefighting operations proceed.

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Crete, Greece, early Friday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at a depth of about 13 kilometers and was centered roughly 11.5 kilometers southeast of the coastal city of Ierapetra. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have been received so far.

The tremor was recorded at 6:18 a.m. local time on April 24, 2026. Greece, known for its numerous islands and popularity among tourists, has experienced several earthquakes in recent years. In June 2025, a 5.3-magnitude quake in northern Greece damaged at least three centuries-old monasteries on Mount Athos, a major religious site.

Authorities have not yet released further details on the latest quake’s impact, and monitoring continues for possible aftershocks or damage assessments.

Bangladesh continues to experience intense heat and humidity as no rainfall was recorded across the country except in Kurigram’s Rajarhat during the past 24 hours, according to the national weather office on Friday, April 24, 2026. The Meteorological Department reported that the ongoing heatwave may persist through Saturday, with temperatures expected to rise further. Dhaka recorded its highest temperature of the season at 37°C, while the country’s highest temperature was 38°C in Jashore.

Meteorologists said that high humidity has intensified the discomfort, and power outages have worsened living conditions. The heatwave, which affected 27 districts earlier in the week, has now reduced to 20 districts, mainly in Khulna, Dhaka, and Rajshahi divisions. The weather office’s five-day forecast predicts that from Sunday, rain or thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds may occur in parts of Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions, easing the heatwave.

The forecast suggests that the rainfall trend could continue for several days, gradually reducing the heat intensity across the country.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning for Dhaka, forecasting a further rise in temperatures after several days of intense heat across the country. According to the department’s Friday morning update, the capital recorded 28.2 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m. with 85 percent humidity, causing severe discomfort. Thursday’s maximum temperature in Dhaka was 37 degrees Celsius, and meteorologists expect it to climb higher later in the day.

The six-hour forecast for Dhaka and surrounding areas indicates mainly dry weather with little chance of rain. Although skies may remain partly cloudy, the intensity of sunlight is unlikely to decrease. Mild to moderate heatwaves are sweeping across several regions, including Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Feni, Lakshmipur, Rangamati, Bandarban, Patuakhali, and the entire Khulna division.

Meanwhile, temporary thunderstorms with lightning and isolated hail may occur in parts of Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. River ports in these areas have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one due to possible gusty winds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour.

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical cooperation expert mission began operations in Bangladesh on 19 April 2026 to assist in implementing the IAEA Water Availability Enhancement Approach (I-WAVE). The two-member team, comprising Dr. Melanie Vital of the IAEA and Professor Frederic Huneau of the University of Corsica Pascal Paoli, aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s national capacity for sustainable water resource management through isotope hydrology techniques. The mission is scheduled to conclude on 23 April 2026.

During the visit, the experts inspected the Isotope Hydrology Division (IHD) laboratory at the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology in Savar and noted shortages in analytical facilities and manpower. They emphasized the need to enhance isotopic analysis capabilities through IAEA technical cooperation and government-funded projects. On 20 April, the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) hosted a national stakeholder workshop to promote understanding of isotope-based nuclear technology for water resource assessment and to identify priority areas for future collaboration.

Government and BAEC officials reaffirmed their commitment to integrating isotope hydrology with conventional methods to improve national water planning and to support the Sustainable Development Goals.

In Digholkandi village of Puthia upazila, Rajshahi, farmers are facing severe crop damage caused by the heat and black smoke from a brick kiln named ‘Messrs SBXU Tata’. The smoke and intense heat have reportedly harmed large areas of farmland, particularly mango and banana orchards. Local farmers said their crops have been destroyed, with some forced to cut down trees after repeated losses. The kiln owner, Shahabuddin, denied the allegations, claiming no farmer had directly complained to him.

According to agricultural officer Mosha. Shaheda Khatun of the Baneshwar block, several mango orchards have already been cut down due to the kiln’s impact. Out of about 50 bighas of banana plantations, 15 to 16 bighas have suffered extensive damage. She stated that affected farmers deserve fair compensation for their losses.

The situation has fueled growing anger among local residents, who say the kiln’s operations continue to threaten their livelihoods and the region’s agricultural sustainability.

In Osmaninagar upazila of Sylhet, around 400 families in Dayamir Union’s Chakbazar area have been trapped in prolonged waterlogging caused by inadequate drainage during the ongoing Dhaka–Sylhet highway expansion into six lanes. Residents report that even light rainfall floods homes and roads, turning the area into a near-permanent waterlogged zone. Despite repeated appeals, no effective relief has been provided so far.

The problem began when the old drainage system in Chakmandal Kapan village was filled in during highway construction without building a replacement. As a result, homes, roads, mosques, markets, and schools are inundated, severely disrupting daily life. Students, patients, and livestock face particular hardship, while crop harvesting has been hampered. Locals also fear waterborne diseases and accidents involving children.

Project manager Debashish Roy stated that houses built over the original drainage channels contributed to the issue but assured that the project team would address any suffering caused by the expansion. Residents have urged authorities and local representatives to take immediate action to install a permanent drainage system.

Five sluice gates built at a cost of several crore taka over various canals in Ramganj, Lakshmipur, have remained nonfunctional for more than two decades. Constructed during the 2001–02 fiscal year under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) to control floods, improve irrigation, and reduce waterlogging, the structures are now obstructing natural water flow. As a result, local residents face irrigation shortages, water stagnation, reduced fish breeding, and rapid canal siltation.

Local farmers and residents said the gates became useless soon after installation due to lack of maintenance. Officials from the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Water Development Board (WDB), and the Department of Agriculture each denied responsibility for the structures, leaving their management unclear. The canals have become clogged with water hyacinth and waste, producing foul odors and stagnant black water.

Ramganj Upazila Engineer Sajjad Mahmud Khan stated that only one sluice gate in Katakhali falls under his office and that repair proposals have been submitted. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Farashid Bin Enam, said the gates would either be removed or repaired depending on their potential benefit to residents.

Bangladesh experienced its hottest day of the season on Wednesday, with Rajshahi recording a maximum temperature of 40°C, surpassing the previous high of 39.7°C in Chuadanga earlier this month. The capital Dhaka also saw its seasonal peak at 36.5°C. Except for light rain in Patuakhali’s Khepupara, no rainfall was reported elsewhere. The ongoing heatwave, coupled with frequent power outages, has severely disrupted daily life across the country.

According to the Meteorological Department, the heatwave expanded from 14 districts on Tuesday to 24 districts on Wednesday, covering all areas of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions as well as parts of Dhaka, Tangail, Madaripur, Dinajpur, Rangamati, and Bandarban. Meteorologists said the lack of rain and rising humidity have intensified the oppressive heat. They forecast that temperatures may continue to rise until Friday, with possible relief from Saturday as rainfall increases.

The department’s long-term outlook indicates that moderate to severe heatwaves could persist across major parts of Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Dhaka divisions through early May.

A waste-to-energy project at the Aminbazar landfill in Savar is set to begin operations soon, with formal work scheduled to start on July 1. The announcement came from State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam following an inter-ministerial meeting. He expressed optimism that the initiative would help reduce the foul odor from waste and improve local living conditions.

During a visit to the Aminbazar landfill, the minister explained that the project had been delayed due to earlier complications. With the new government in place, he said all necessary processing would be completed soon to launch the project. He also mentioned discussions with Dhaka North City Corporation regarding waste dumping practices at the site.

The minister noted that thousands of tons of waste have been affecting the local environment but expressed hope that electricity generation from waste would ease public suffering once the project becomes operational.

Bangladesh experienced its hottest day of the season on Wednesday, with Rajshahi recording 40 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature so far this year. The capital Dhaka also saw its seasonal peak at 36.5 degrees Celsius. Except for light rain in Patuakhali’s Khepupara, the rest of the country remained dry. The ongoing heatwave, coupled with widespread power outages, has severely disrupted daily life across urban and rural areas.

According to the Meteorological Department, the heatwave has expanded from 14 districts on Tuesday to 24 districts on Wednesday, covering all of Rajshahi and Khulna divisions as well as parts of Dhaka, Tangail, Madaripur, Dinajpur, Rangamati, and Bandarban. Meteorologists warned that temperatures could exceed 42 degrees Celsius in the next two days before easing with possible rainfall from Saturday or Sunday. Experts attributed the rising heat to increased humidity and lack of rain.

The department’s long-term forecast suggests that while this year’s heatwave is intense, it is unlikely to persist as long as in 2023 and 2024, when continuous heat lasted 22 and 26 days respectively.

The Department of Environment in Chandpur conducted a raid on an illegal polythene production factory equipped with modern machinery in the heart of Chandpur city. Acting on a tip-off, officials discovered the factory operating inside a tin-shed warehouse near the Harijan community housing on Swarnakhola Road. The operation took place on the night of April 21, and the department confirmed the action on April 22, 2026. Authorities seized a large quantity of polythene and raw materials before sealing the facility through a mobile court.

According to the Department of Environment, the warehouse had been rented and used for illegal polythene production for a long time, supplying products to Chandpur and other districts. During the raid, 1,774 kilograms of polythene and polypropylene granules were confiscated. The mobile court was led by Executive Magistrate Masud Rana from the district administration office.

Deputy Director Mizanur Rahman of the Department of Environment stated that the operation was carried out jointly with the magistrate and law enforcement agencies. Legal action will follow as part of the next steps.