The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast prolonged drizzle across Dhaka and several other regions on Saturday, coinciding with the holy Eid-ul-Fitr. Meteorologist A K M Nazmul Haque said a broad rain belt stretching from Barguna to Naogaon has formed, likely causing light rain from around 7:30 a.m. for four to five hours. However, Cox’s Bazar and Panchagarh districts may remain outside the rain zone.

According to the department, the rain belt’s effect may continue until Sunday, though rainfall is expected to decrease by then. Compared to Friday, a higher amount of rainfall is likely on Saturday. On Friday, Madaripur recorded the highest rainfall at 33 millimeters, while Dhaka saw 17 millimeters, with rain reported in almost all divisions.

The meteorologist added that despite the extended drizzle, there is no possibility of a nor’wester storm. Winds are expected to flow from the southwest, resulting in light rain with low wind speed for several hours.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast rain, thunderstorms, and possible hail across the country during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, expected to be observed on Friday or Saturday depending on the moon sighting. Meteorologist Dr. Omar Faruq said that rainfall is likely throughout the next five days, with heavier showers expected on Friday and Saturday. However, he noted that continuous rainfall is unlikely, and precipitation will occur intermittently in different regions.

According to the department’s latest bulletin, an extension of a low-pressure area lies over West Bengal and adjoining regions, while the seasonal low remains over the South Bay of Bengal. This system may cause temporary cloudy skies, rain, and gusty winds of 40–50 km/h in Dhaka and surrounding areas. The forecast also indicates rain and thunderstorms in all eight divisions, with chances of hail in some places.

Meteorologist Dr. Abul Kalam Mallik added that thunderstorm activity may intensify between March 20 and 21. The department advised the public to remain cautious during the storm-prone period.

Electricity supply in Sandwip, Chattogram, was restored on Wednesday afternoon after a 30-hour disruption caused by severe storms. Most areas of the island regained power, but the Sandwip Upazila Health Complex remained without electricity at the time of reporting, leaving patients in distress. Upazila Health Officer Manas Biswas said the hospital was in complete darkness, making it impossible to operate essential medical equipment.

Upazila Executive Engineer (Electricity) Tanvir Hossain attributed the hospital’s outage to internal wiring faults, noting that the main line outside was active. He explained that strong winds had broken tree branches onto power lines and damaged several transformers, but repair teams had restored the main grid connection. The prolonged blackout also affected the island’s economy, with small cold storage owners reporting spoilage of fish and perishable goods.

Local poultry farmers suffered losses as well, with high temperatures and lack of ventilation causing illness and deaths among chickens. Residents urged greater coordination among government departments to modernize Sandwip’s power system and ensure faster post-storm repairs.

A severe storm that began late Monday night has disrupted the entire electricity transmission system in Sandwip, Chattogram, leaving the island without power for more than 24 hours. By Tuesday afternoon, electricity had been partially restored in parts of southern Sandwip, but large areas in the north, including Bauria, Gachhua, Kalapania, Santoshpur, and Dirghapara unions, remained without power. The outage has caused major disruptions to daily life and essential services.

Health facilities have been hit particularly hard. Upazila Health Officer Manas Biswas said that the prolonged power failure severely hampered normal healthcare operations, with patients suffering in the heat and medical equipment becoming difficult to operate. Local businesses also reported heavy losses, with cold storage owners fearing spoilage of perishable goods and shopkeepers struggling to attract customers in dark stores.

Residents expressed frustration over the lack of response from responsible officials. Calls to the local executive engineer went unanswered, leaving uncertainty about when power will be fully restored. Locals urged authorities to adopt modern systems to ensure faster power restoration after natural disasters.

Severe nor’wester storms and hail on Sunday night caused widespread damage to crops and homes in several parts of Bangladesh, particularly in Naogaon and Sherpur districts. In Naogaon, the storm lasted about 30 minutes, damaging 731.5 hectares of farmland, including banana, maize, wheat, potato, and vegetables. The Department of Agricultural Extension reported that 225 hectares of banana, 216 hectares of maize, and 216 hectares of wheat were affected, with banana and maize losses valued at over Tk 172 crore. Many banana and papaya trees were uprooted or broken just before harvest.

In Sherpur’s Nalitabari upazila, Saturday night’s storm and hail destroyed homes and trees, leaving around 35 families homeless. The worst-hit area was Singuarpara village in Rupnarayankura union, where 30–35 houses were completely destroyed. Power supply was disrupted in several areas, and many residents were forced to stay under the open sky. Local officials visited the affected sites and informed higher authorities for assistance.

Agricultural officials advised farmers to prepare for recovery and future disaster resilience, while weather observers recorded wind speeds up to 50 km per hour and 29 millimeters of rainfall during the storm.

The 'Zia Canal' in Shayestaganj, Habiganj, once linked to late President Ziaur Rahman’s canal excavation program, is now on the verge of extinction due to encroachment, pollution and lack of maintenance. Locals say the canal, dug during Ziaur Rahman’s 1978 visit to the area, once played a vital role in irrigation and flood control but has since deteriorated severely.

Elderly residents recall that before the canal’s excavation, farmers in the region suffered from water shortages during dry months and severe flooding during monsoon. The canal had provided relief by improving irrigation and drainage. Local leaders, including former municipal BNP president Korom Ali and former vice-chairman A S M Afzal Ali, emphasized the canal’s historical and agricultural importance and urged for its immediate restoration.

Habiganj-3 MP and Parliament Whip G K Gaus pledged to prioritize the canal’s dredging, citing both public demand and the site’s association with Ziaur Rahman’s legacy.

The MV Sugandha launch, operating on the Dhaka-Hatia route, became stranded on a river shoal after being caught in a storm early Tuesday, March 17, 2026. The vessel, carrying more than a hundred passengers, has remained stuck for about 15 hours near Charbhairabi area before reaching Ilisha Ghat. Despite the tide rising, low water levels prevented the launch from floating again.

Passengers reported severe hardship and lack of assistance, saying that even after informing the Coast Guard and Navy, no effective rescue measures had been taken by late afternoon. Some passengers described being trapped with small children without food or means to disembark as evening approached. The launch’s master, Mostafizur Rahman, said the vessel anchored to maintain control during the storm but became stuck when the tide receded.

MV Sugandha had started its inaugural journey from Dhaka’s Sadarghat on Monday evening as one of two newly launched government-allocated vessels intended to improve travel on the Dhaka-Hatia route.

Aliyabad Canal in Nabinagar municipality of Brahmanbaria has nearly disappeared due to years of unregulated waste dumping and unplanned road construction. Once a flowing waterway connecting the Burir and Bhata rivers, the canal has become clogged with household garbage, blocking water flow and causing severe environmental degradation. The stagnant, blackened water now emits foul odors and poses serious health risks, including waterborne diseases. Agricultural lands nearby are being damaged by polluted water, and the area suffers from mosquito infestations and seasonal flooding.

Local residents recall that until 2005, the canal supported boat traffic and provided water for irrigation and household use. They blame the closure of the canal’s mouth under a municipal road for halting water movement. Residents and community leaders have demanded immediate cleaning and restoration to reconnect the canal with the main river system. Nabinagar’s administrative head, Mahmudul Hasan, stated that dredging work is planned and expected to begin after Eid-ul-Fitr.

If completed, the restoration could revive water flow and transform the canal into a scenic feature of the municipality.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief M Iqbal Hossain emphasized that canal excavation is essential for increasing agricultural production. Speaking on Monday in Gauripur, Mymensingh, he inaugurated the re-excavation of the 'Bolar Beel' canal and said that dredging rivers, canals, and wetlands would help remove waterlogging, improve irrigation facilities, and protect the environment and biodiversity.

He noted that re-excavating the approximately five-kilometer-long Bolar Beel canal would enhance water drainage during the monsoon season and have a positive impact on farming activities. The event was attended by Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner Md Saifur Rahman, Gauripur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Papia Amin Pappa, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Sunanda Sarkar Proma, Additional Superintendent of Police (Gauripur Circle) Deba Shish Karmakar, and several local political leaders.

The initiative highlights the government’s focus on improving agricultural infrastructure and addressing water management challenges in rural areas through canal re-excavation projects.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Md. Abdus Salam announced that the Matuail landfill in the capital will be transformed into a scenic eco park and playground. He made the announcement during a visit to the landfill on Monday, where he also inaugurated a new compost plant. The initiative aims to eliminate the area’s long-standing odor and pollution through modern waste management and turn it into a public recreation center.

According to the administrator, DSCC has signed an agreement with a Korean private company to convert 3,200–3,500 tons of daily waste into valuable resources. Work on the project will begin after Eid-ul-Azha, producing gas, electricity, and fertilizer instead of dumping waste. The newly inaugurated compost plant targets producing 20 tons of organic fertilizer daily from 100 tons of household waste, which could reduce greenhouse gases and increase city revenue.

To prevent frequent fires, DSCC is installing 40 water hydrants and permanent reservoirs across 181 acres and has purchased six portable pumps. Salam added that 40 percent of soil covering work is complete, helping control odor and fire risks, aligning with the Prime Minister’s directive to make Dhaka a “Clean and Green City.”

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu MP said the government is working to connect all canals with rivers to increase production. He emphasized that there is no alternative to canal renovation and re-excavation for resolving waterlogging, reducing pollution, improving irrigation, and boosting production. The government has taken an initiative to re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals. He made these remarks on Monday while inaugurating the excavation of Dadana Canal in Mirerpol area of Daganbhuiyan upazila in Feni.

The minister added that all canals across the country will be identified and their boundaries demarcated, with five government departments jointly working in the field. Party leaders and activists have been urged to cooperate with the officials. The event was presided over by Feni Deputy Commissioner Monira Haque, with several local officials and political representatives attending as special guests.

Under the B-Strong project, seven kilometers of the Dadana Canal will be re-excavated, bringing 320 hectares of land under cultivation. According to the administration, this will increase crop production worth around Tk 100 crore.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has warned that no influential person will be spared if found occupying government-owned canals. Speaking on Monday in Mirsharai, Chattogram, he said the government is ensuring transparency in project implementation and will not tolerate corruption. His remarks came after inaugurating the re-excavation of the Bamansundar canal under a nationwide initiative launched by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman to restore canals, rivers, and water bodies across 54 districts.

The minister said the program aims to strengthen environmental protection and climate resilience, continuing the canal excavation initiative started by late President Ziaur Rahman. The government plans to excavate about 20,000 kilometers of canals, with 1,200 kilometers targeted for completion within six months. In Mirsharai, a three-kilometer section of the Bamansundar canal is being re-excavated.

He added that the project will bring 15,000 hectares of land under cultivation, increasing annual crop output by 5,000 metric tons and reducing waterlogging. Trees will be planted along canal banks to boost the local economy and help Bangladesh benefit from global carbon credit mechanisms.

Continuous heavy rain and hailstorm over the past three days have damaged Boro paddy fields in the haor areas of Sunamganj district. The hail has flattened and broken rice plants, while cracks have appeared in several crop protection embankments. Waterlogging has developed in many areas, raising fears of crop loss among local farmers. The affected upazilas include Sunamganj Sadar, Madhyanagar, Tahirpur, Jagannathpur, and Dharmapasha, where hailstones were seen covering roads, courtyards, and farmlands.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, about 223,511 hectares of land were cultivated with Boro rice this season, with an expected yield of 1.4 million metric tons. However, around 370 hectares of crops, including rice, maize, and vegetables, have already been damaged. Farmers expressed concern that delayed government funding slowed embankment repairs, leaving some areas without proper compaction or grass cover. Officials from the Water Development Board confirmed minor cracks in several embankments but said repair work was underway and there was no immediate threat to crops.

Local farmers reported severe waterlogging in low-lying fields and said continued bad weather could further endanger the harvest.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated a nationwide canal excavation program on March 16, 2026, in Balarampur Sahapara of Kaharol, Dinajpur. The initiative began with the re-excavation of a 12-kilometer canal and will cover 54 districts across the country. The program aims to restore silted and nearly dead canals to improve irrigation systems, reduce waterlogging during monsoon seasons, and strengthen canal-based rural economies through fish farming and duck rearing.

According to the report, experts believe that restoring canals will enhance agricultural productivity, mitigate floods and waterlogging, and help maintain local environmental balance. The event was organized by the Ministry of Water Resources and the Dinajpur District BNP, attended by local leaders, officials, and residents. Speakers at the gathering said the re-excavation would improve water drainage and irrigation, benefiting local farmers.

Residents expressed optimism that the project would reduce dependence on groundwater and electricity for irrigation, while reviving agricultural activities in the region.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to inaugurate a nationwide canal excavation program covering 54 districts on Monday, March 16, 2026. The launch will take place at 11:30 a.m. in Sahapara canal under Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur district. Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister will distribute goats among poor and underprivileged families and address a public gathering.

According to the plan, the first phase of the project will excavate 1,200 kilometers of canals over six months, with a long-term goal of dredging 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and wetlands within five years. The initiative aims to improve water management and rural livelihoods across the country.

As part of his schedule, the Prime Minister will travel from Saidpur Airport to Balrampur in Kaharol, visit family graves in Dinajpur in the afternoon, attend a civic meeting, and join an iftar and prayer event before returning to Dhaka in the evening.