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.

The BNP-led government has adopted a five-year master plan to revive dead canals and waterways across Bangladesh, aiming to complete the program by 2030. Under the plan, a total of 7,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated, re-excavated, and renovated. In the current year, 1,500 kilometers of nearly dead canals, drains, and water bodies will be restored. Excavation and re-excavation work on 18 canals in 12 districts will be inaugurated on March 16 and 17. The Water Resources Ministry will act as the lead authority, coordinating with the Agriculture, Disaster Management and Relief, and Local Government ministries.

According to ministry sources, the project will expand irrigation coverage, boost agricultural production, and increase fish supply, helping to restore traditional livelihoods. It is also expected to reduce waterlogging in urban areas, including the capital. The government plans to use a hybrid model combining modern machinery, skilled workers, and laborers under the Employment Generation Program for the Poorest (EGPP). Excavated soil will be used for local development or sold through open auctions.

Officials emphasized environmental protection and transparency, with regular monitoring by district administrations. Experts cautioned that political neutrality and transparency will be crucial for the project’s success.

Kenyan authorities reported that at least 62 people have died in severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall across the country. The death toll, previously 42 a week earlier, rose sharply as rivers overflowed and infrastructure was damaged. The Kenya Red Cross said 11 people were rescued from a minibus trapped in floodwaters in Nairobi, while two children were saved from a submerged house.

Continuous rainfall over the past week has led to widespread flooding, damaging homes, roads, power, and water systems. A bridge collapse in Nairobi forced the closure of key roads, and several schools were inundated. The Interior Ministry warned that ongoing heavy rains could worsen the situation and urged residents in low-lying areas to move to safety. More than 2,000 people have already taken shelter in relief centers.

President William Ruto announced that emergency food and medical aid were being delivered to affected communities, and drainage clearing operations were underway. Experts cited poor urban planning and climate change as major factors behind the disaster, noting that rising global temperatures are increasing the risk of extreme rainfall events.

A severe hailstorm struck Madhyanagar upazila in Sunamganj late Saturday night after three consecutive days of heavy rain, raising fears of extensive crop damage across the haor region. The storm, which lasted for more than ten minutes, caused widespread panic among residents as hailstones damaged crop fields and pierced tin roofs of houses in several villages.

Continuous rainfall has already left low-lying haor lands waterlogged, threatening embankments built to protect ripening crops. Farmers reported that paddy plants had just begun to form ears, and such an untimely hailstorm had not occurred before this stage of the season. Many expressed deep concern over potential losses to boro paddy and other crops, while damaged homes have left families struggling to cope.

Madhyanagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ujjal Roy confirmed that both croplands and houses were affected and said data collection was underway. Authorities plan to identify households with damaged roofs and take necessary measures for assistance.

Water Resources Minister Farhad Hossain Azad announced that Bangladesh will plant 2.5 billion trees across the country over the next five years. He made the statement on Saturday at an emergency meeting organized by the Dinajpur district BNP at the Dinajpur Shishu Academy auditorium. The meeting was held ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Dinajpur.

The minister said that as part of the BNP’s election manifesto, the government has begun implementing welfare programs such as family cards, agricultural loan waivers, and allowances for imams and muezzins. He added that the Prime Minister will inaugurate a canal excavation program on March 16 in Sahapara, Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur, under which 20,000 kilometers of canals will be dug nationwide, followed by tree planting along both banks.

Farhad Hossain Azad urged party leaders and activists to ensure the success of the Prime Minister’s visit. The meeting was attended by local MPs and leaders from various BNP-affiliated organizations across Dinajpur district.

Dhaka Electric Supply PLC (DESCO) has launched a special drive from March 9, 2026, to reduce excessive lighting and promote electricity conservation across shopping malls, markets, and residential and commercial areas under its jurisdiction. The initiative follows a directive issued by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources on March 8. On March 12, DESCO teams conducted operations in several Uttara West locations, including Jamjam Tower, Rajlakkhi, and Garib-e-Nawaz Avenue, identifying and shutting down unnecessary lighting.

The drive was led by Special Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Hadiuzzaman, who warned that further violations would result in strict penalties and fines. Market and shop owners were urged to avoid unnecessary electricity use and maintain air conditioner temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius. Awareness leaflets were distributed among shoppers, pedestrians, and shop staff to promote the government’s energy-saving directives.

Similar operations were carried out on March 11 in Gulshan-1, Gulshan-2, and surrounding commercial areas. DESCO authorities have decided to continue the campaign across all areas under its coverage.

The government has announced a five-year plan to excavate and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of rivers, canals, and water bodies across Bangladesh. As part of this initiative, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the program on March 16 in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur district by launching a canal excavation project. Simultaneously, ministers, advisers, the Chief Whip of the National Parliament, state ministers, whips, and members of parliament will inaugurate similar projects in 53 other districts.

According to information from the Planning-3 branch of the Ministry of Water Resources, the program is expected to have a positive impact on agriculture and irrigation, increase agricultural production, and create employment opportunities in rural areas. It will also help raise surface water levels, reducing dependence on groundwater and mitigating drought, floods, and waterlogging.

The initiative aligns with the government’s election manifesto and aims to strengthen water resource management and rural development over the next five years.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor A.J.M. Zahid Hossain said that the canal excavation initiative, emphasized by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman before the election, will help maintain environmental balance and increase agricultural production. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon after inspecting a canal at Balrampur Sahapara in Kaharol upazila of Dinajpur district.

The minister noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Faridpur area in Dinajpur on March 16 to pay respects at the graves of his grandparents and aunt. He also highlighted that northern Bangladesh has fewer trees compared to other regions, with only about 8 to 9 percent of land covered by greenery, whereas at least 25 percent coverage is needed for a balanced environment.

As part of the government’s ongoing green revolution efforts, the minister announced that the formal inauguration of the canal excavation program will take place on March 16 in Kaharol, marking the beginning of this environmental and agricultural development initiative.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms and rain across eight divisions, including Dhaka, over the coming days. The forecast, issued on March 11, 2026, also warned that Rajshahi, Jessore, and Sylhet regions may experience temporary gusty or squally winds along with rain. River ports in these areas have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one.

According to the department, a trough of low pressure lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while the seasonal low remains over the South Bay of Bengal. Under its influence, scattered rain or thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds are likely to occur in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions.

The forecast also indicated that daytime temperatures across the country may drop by one to two degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged.

A severe mosquito infestation has spread across Dhaka, with residents reporting unbearable bites in homes, streets, and open spaces. The surge has raised fears of dengue, chikungunya, and other mosquito-borne diseases. Citizens allege that despite the worsening situation, Dhaka’s two city corporations have failed to take visible and effective action. They argue that regular fogging and sanitation could have prevented the crisis, while city officials claim that multiple control measures are already underway.

According to the report, three mosquito species—Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles—are prevalent in the capital. The dry season’s rising temperatures have accelerated Culex breeding, while stagnant and polluted water in drains and ponds has worsened the problem. Areas such as Badda, Rampura, Malibagh, Shahbagh, and Uttara are among the hardest hit. Residents describe using coils, aerosols, and nets without relief, blaming poor drainage and waste management for the infestation.

Dhaka South City Corporation has launched a month-long cleanliness and “crash program” to control mosquitoes, while Dhaka North officials emphasize public awareness and continuous monitoring as essential for sustainable control.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen met with Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo in Dhaka, where both sides discussed strengthening cooperation on environmental protection, forest management, and climate change mitigation. The meeting, held at the Forest Department in Agargaon, emphasized green development, technology exchange, pollution control, and eco-friendly infrastructure.

Minister Mintoo outlined Bangladesh’s initiatives to combat air, water, and noise pollution and sought continued Chinese support for climate-resilient development. He also highlighted government programs such as family and farmer cards, interest-free loans, tree plantation, canal excavation, and women’s empowerment. The minister announced a target to plant 250 million trees over five years, starting nationwide in May following a detailed plan to be finalized in April.

Ambassador Yao reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s environmental and sustainable development goals and expressed interest in joint projects, including tackling air pollution in Dhaka. Officials also discussed waste-to-energy initiatives under the Aminbazar Landfill modernization project, with both sides seeing potential for deeper technological cooperation.

A mobile court in Matlab North upazila of Chandpur district detained 14 fishermen during an operation on the Meghna River on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The raid was part of the government’s 2026 jatka protection and sanctuary enforcement campaign. Authorities seized a large quantity of illegal fishing nets, including a behundi net, a pressure net, and about 20,000 meters of current net, which were later burned. Four fishing boats and four anchors were also confiscated and placed under police custody.

Each of the detained fishermen received a seven-day jail sentence from Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Rahmat Ullah. The convicts are residents of Matlab North, Lakshmipur’s Kamalnagar, and Chandpur Sadar areas. The operation was conducted in the presence of district and upazila fisheries officials and the Mohanpur River Police.

Officials stated that regular river patrols and awareness programs are ongoing to enforce the jatka conservation program. They emphasized that fishing during the government-declared ban period is strictly prohibited and that similar drives will continue to protect future hilsa production.