A severe heatwave has gripped Lalpur in Natore, where the temperature reached 38.0 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, according to the Ishwardi Meteorological Office. The intense heat, combined with 51 percent humidity, has severely disrupted daily life, forcing residents to stay indoors and reducing activity in markets and public areas. Day laborers, farmers, and outdoor workers are among the worst affected.

Local residents reported increasing discomfort as temperatures have continued to rise over recent days, creating health risks especially for children, the elderly, and the sick. The weather office forecast warns that the heatwave may persist for several more days, with temperatures likely to rise further.

Dr. Suruzzaman Shamim, the residential medical officer at Lalpur Upazila Health Complex, advised people to stay in shaded areas, avoid going out unnecessarily, drink plenty of water, and maintain a cool environment for children and the elderly to prevent heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke.

Lightning protection rods installed in the haor areas of Sunamganj have become ineffective, leading to an increase in lightning-related deaths and growing public fear. The region, known as one of the most lightning-prone areas in the world, has recorded 68 deaths from lightning strikes between 2022 and April 18, 2026. Despite government efforts, the installed rods have failed to reduce casualties.

According to the report, the Disaster Management Department spent two crore taka during the 2021–22 fiscal year to install 18 lightning rods across six upazilas, mainly on government buildings such as union council offices and land offices, rather than in open haor fields where farmers and fishermen work. Field visits revealed that many rods are nonfunctional, with meters not working and no lightning measurement taking place. Environmental activists blamed mismanagement and climate change for worsening conditions, urging the establishment of small shelters and a weather center in Sunamganj.

District relief officials acknowledged the need for improved safety measures but cited budget and planning constraints. They stated that rods were placed in populated areas, though all are currently inactive.

The Rangamati district administration has imposed a complete ban on all types of fishing in Kaptai Lake to ensure proper breeding, growth, and natural expansion of released fish fry. The decision was made at a meeting chaired by Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi, who also heads the Kaptai Lake Management and Operations Committee. According to a press release from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the ban will take effect from midnight on April 24 and remain in place until further notice.

During the ban, fishing, transportation, and marketing of fish from the lake will be prohibited. However, fish already caught may be landed at the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) jetty until 4 p.m. on April 25. The release of new fish fry into the lake will begin on May 2. To enforce the restrictions, joint patrols by the naval police and BFDC will be conducted, with temporary checkpoints and mobile courts operating to prevent illegal fishing.

The ministry has also launched a humanitarian program to support 26,845 affected fishing families in Rangamati and Khagrachhari, providing 40 kilograms of rice per family over two months and transport allowances to ensure food security during the ban.

The Forest Department recovered 42 deer traps and detained two fishermen during separate operations in the Sundarbans under the Satkhira range. On Tuesday, April 21, patrol members from the Munshiganj outpost conducted a raid in the Belayet’s Bharani and Cherar Khal areas, where they found 42 'mala traps' set to capture deer. Acting on secret information, the team discovered the traps strategically placed to ensnare roaming deer.

A day earlier, on Monday, April 20, a smart patrol team carried out another operation in the Dingi Mari sanctuary area under the Kadamtala Forest Station. Two fishermen were arrested for illegally entering the sanctuary to catch fish and crabs. Authorities seized a boat, about 30 kilograms of crabs, and various fishing tools. The detainees were later sent to court under forest law.

Assistant Conservator of Forests Md. Moshior Rahman stated that operations to prevent illegal hunting and resource extraction in the Sundarbans will continue. Local residents alleged that an organized poaching group remains active, sometimes operating with the support of influential individuals, and urged strict legal action against them.

The Department of Environment has fined three illegal brick kilns in Gopalganj a total of nine lakh taka and halted their production activities. The mobile court operation was conducted on Tuesday in Sadar upazila under the initiative of the Gopalganj district office of the Department of Environment. The fined brick kilns are Sheikh Bricks, Molla Bricks, and Gazi Bricks. Executive Magistrate Md. Sajjad Zahid Ratul led the mobile court, while Inspector Moniruzzaman Sheikh served as prosecutor.

Assistant Director Mahfuzur Rahman of the Gopalganj district office stated that the operation was carried out under the Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act, 2013, amended in 2019, for various violations. During the drive, electricity connections were disconnected, and the kilns were dismantled using excavators to stop production. The Gopalganj district police, Ansar force, and Fire Service assisted in the operation.

Officials said such drives will continue in the district to control air pollution and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

A mobile court in Shariatpur Sadar upazila conducted an operation on Tuesday afternoon against an illegal brick kiln that had continued operations despite multiple administrative notices. The court, led by Executive Magistrate Tushar Saha, dismantled part of the chimney of Messrs. Howlader Bricks in Shaulpur area and imposed a fine of one lakh taka on the owner under the Brick Manufacturing and Kiln Establishment (Control) Act.

According to the Department of Environment, the kiln had been ordered to shut down in February 2023 for lacking legal approval, but the owner ignored the directive. The site was also found to be only 250 meters from a primary school, violating the rule that prohibits brick kilns within one kilometer of such institutions. Officials said the action was taken to reduce environmental and public health risks.

Assistant Director of the Department of Environment, Russell Noman, stated that similar drives against illegal brick kilns will continue in line with High Court directives. Local residents expressed relief, citing long-standing smoke and pollution problems caused by the kiln.

Widespread allegations of irregularities, corruption, and fund misappropriation have surfaced in a canal excavation project under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Rajapur upazila of Jhalakathi. Farmers from Tulatala and Angaria villages claim that the excavation of the Rarhibari canal was carried out superficially, ignoring government guidelines and resulting in misuse of allocated funds. The project, which includes 13 canal excavations and 3 embankment constructions with a total budget of Tk 36.5 million, allocated about Tk 5.245 million for the two canals in question.

Local farmers allege that instead of proper dredging, only minimal silt was removed, turning the canal into a narrow trench. They also reported that numerous fruit and forest trees were cut down, and the steep excavation of the banks risks collapse. Farmers say they have lost trees and will not benefit from irrigation or fish farming as expected.

In response, the canal excavation association’s president and the Rajapur Upazila Engineer denied the allegations, asserting that all work followed official schedules and was properly supervised.

An endangered fishing cat was beaten to death and hung from an electric pole in Musapur Union of Sandwip upazila, Chattogram. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Bashiria residential area after the animal was trapped overnight in a chicken farm owned by a local resident. Following the killing, locals tied the dead animal to a roadside electric pillar, drawing crowds of onlookers the next morning.

Environmental advocates said the destruction of natural habitats and food shortages often drive these animals into human settlements. They noted that fishing cats help farmers by preying on rats and snakes, and their killing poses a serious threat to ecological balance. Under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012, the fishing cat is a protected species, and killing it is a non-bailable offense punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to one million taka.

Officials from the Coastal Forest Department’s Sandwip Range confirmed that a team was dispatched to the site to collect evidence. They stated that legal action will be taken against those responsible following investigation.

The Rangamati district administration has imposed a complete ban on fishing in Kaptai Lake to ensure proper breeding, growth, and natural expansion of released fish fry. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by District Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi, who also heads the Kaptai Lake Management and Operations Committee. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued a press release confirming the decision, which takes effect from midnight on April 24 until further notice.

According to the directive, fishing, transportation, and marketing of fish will remain suspended during the ban period. However, fish already caught may be landed at the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation (BFDC) jetty until 4 p.m. on April 25. The release of new fish fry will begin on May 2. To prevent illegal fishing, joint patrols by the naval police and BFDC will be conducted, with temporary checkpoints and mobile court operations in place.

The ministry has also launched a humanitarian program to support 26,845 affected fishing families in Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts, providing 40 kilograms of rice per family over two months and transportation allowances to ensure food security during the ban.

Riverbank erosion has appeared at two points of the Jamuna River protection area in Kazipur, Sirajganj, during the dry season. Several sections have collapsed into the river, with locals blaming illegal sand extraction for intensifying water currents that struck the western bank. The Water Development Board (WDB) said there is no cause for panic, as sand-filled geo bags are being placed to prevent further damage.

Residents alleged that influential groups have been illegally extracting sand from the Jamuna using dredgers in areas such as Kazipur Eco Park, Palashpur Ghat, Meghai Ghat, and Dhekuriya. The WDB completed riverbank protection work in 2014, but recent collapses have raised fears for Meghai embankment, farmland, and nearby structures. Locals said the erosion has already consumed large portions of their land.

Officials stated that legal sand extraction must occur at least one kilometer away from public and private structures, embankments, and pipelines. The administration has conducted drives and imposed fines against illegal operators, vowing to prevent further unauthorized sand lifting.

A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Homalin area along the India-Myanmar border on Tuesday at 6:29 a.m. local time. The tremor, originating in Myanmar’s Sagaing province at a depth of about 66 kilometers, caused mild shaking that was also felt in parts of Bangladesh, according to the international monitoring agency Earthquake Track.

Because the quake occurred at a relatively deep level, its intensity on the surface remained low. As of now, no reports of damage or casualties have been received from India, Myanmar, or Bangladesh. The event was described as a moderate seismic occurrence with limited impact.

Bangladesh, though not located directly on a major tectonic fault line, occasionally experiences tremors due to its proximity to seismically active regions in northeastern India and Myanmar. Authorities have not issued any warnings or alerts following this incident.

The Forest Department has filed an eviction case in Cox’s Bazar following a report alleging illegal construction of a multistoried building on reserved forest land in Ukhia’s Rajapalong union. The case, registered on April 16, targets two individuals accused of occupying the land. However, environmental activists have criticized the move as superficial, claiming that construction continues despite the legal action.

Local residents allege that the case has effectively legitimized the building, while some corrupt officials reportedly accepted around 300,000 taka in bribes to allow the project. The building, located in the Swarn Pahar area, has already reached three stories, with work ongoing. Forest officials admit to manpower shortages and say they need administrative and police support to enforce eviction orders.

Environmental groups warn that without swift and effective measures, such encroachments on protected forest areas could increase further, undermining conservation efforts in the region.

A fresh spell of heatwave has intensified across Bangladesh since Monday, affecting nine districts including Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Dhaka, Faridpur, Khulna, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported that the heatwave, currently mild to moderate, could spread to more areas and persist until around April 26. The highest temperature recorded in the past 24 hours was 38°C in Rajshahi, while Dhaka reached 36.2°C.

According to forecasts signed by meteorologist Dr. Omar Faruq, temperatures are expected to rise further, with the heatwave possibly turning severe in parts of Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Dhaka divisions by April 25–26. Earlier this month, several heatwaves were recorded, with Chuadanga registering the year’s highest temperature of 39.7°C on April 3. Brief rainfall in Sylhet, Rangpur, and Dinajpur was noted, but most regions remained dry.

Meteorologists expect rainfall to increase from April 26 or later, potentially continuing into early May, which could bring relief from the ongoing heat.

A mild earthquake was felt in Dhaka and several parts of Bangladesh early Tuesday morning, April 21, 2026, at 6:29 a.m. local time. The tremor measured 5.1 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter located in Myanmar’s Sagaing region near Homalin, close to the Indian state of Manipur. The quake originated about 66 kilometers below the surface, which reduced its intensity at ground level despite its moderate magnitude.

According to India’s National Center for Seismology, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake also struck Manipur’s Kamjong area at 5:59 a.m. Indian time the same day. The depth and proximity of the two seismic events suggest they were part of the same regional tectonic activity affecting the border areas of Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh.

Due to the earthquake’s depth, no major damage or strong shaking was reported in Bangladesh, and the tremor was described as mild across affected regions.

A mobile court of the Gazipur district administration fined a brick kiln three lakh taka during an anti-illegal brick kiln drive in Sreepur upazila. The operation took place on Monday afternoon in the Latifpur area, led by Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Prabhakar Roy. The court found the kiln operating in violation of government regulations and filed a case against its owner.

Officials from the Department of Environment in Gazipur, including Research Officer Md. Mokbul Hossain and relevant inspectors, participated in the operation as prosecutors. Members of law enforcement agencies provided security support during the drive.

Magistrate Prabhakar Roy stated that similar mobile court drives will continue regularly to enforce environmental protection and government directives against illegal brick kilns.