Ferry operations on the Daulatdia–Paturia route, a key waterway connecting Rajbari’s Daulatdia and Manikganj’s Paturia, resumed on Friday morning after being suspended for nine and a half hours due to dense fog. According to the report, services were restored around 9:30 a.m. on December 26, 2025, once visibility improved on the Padma River.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) temporarily halted all ferry and vessel movement from midnight on Saturday when thick fog severely reduced visibility across the river basin. BIWTC’s Daulatdia office assistant general manager (commerce) Mohammad Salauddin stated that operations were restarted after the fog cleared and navigation conditions became normal.

The prolonged suspension caused significant traffic congestion at both ferry terminals, leaving trucks, buses, and private cars stranded. With the resumption of ferry movement, the backlog began to ease, bringing relief to drivers, assistants, and passengers waiting at the terminals.

Bangladesh is experiencing a sharp drop in temperature, with cold winds and dense fog gripping much of the country, including the capital Dhaka. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the current cold spell is expected to persist for at least five more days, with nighttime temperatures falling by 1–2°C and daytime temperatures also slightly lower. The lowest temperature recorded on Thursday was 10.2°C in Rajshahi, while Dhaka saw 14°C.

Meteorologists said that while no formal cold wave has yet developed, the chill is being felt more intensely due to fog and reduced sunlight. Experts attribute the conditions to a subcontinental high-pressure system that is amplifying the cold. The BMD forecasts that temperatures may drop further around the start of the new year.

The cold has worsened hardship for low-income and homeless residents, many seen huddling on city streets. Meanwhile, sales of winter clothing have surged in local markets as people prepare for a potentially harsher cold phase ahead.

A sharp drop in temperature has brought intense cold to Tetulia, Panchagarh, where the local weather office recorded 10.5°C on Thursday. Dense fog and chilly northern winds have disrupted normal life, forcing residents to stay indoors except for urgent needs. Visibility on highways has been severely reduced, prompting vehicles to move with headlights on throughout the day.

According to Jitendranath, acting officer of the Tetulia Meteorological Observatory, a mild cold wave had passed earlier this month, but temperatures have been steadily falling again since December 20. He warned that another cold wave may be approaching, likely intensifying the current cold conditions.

Authorities and residents are bracing for harsher weather in the coming days, with concerns about health risks and disruptions to agriculture and transportation. Relief measures, including distribution of warm clothing, are expected to be stepped up if the cold persists.

More than 13,000 low-income farmers in Langadu upazila of Rangamati are facing severe difficulties as the water level in Kaptai Lake has not receded, leaving vast tracts of farmland submerged. Farmers who usually begin Boro rice cultivation in the Bengali month of Poush are unable to plant this season, raising fears of a potential food shortage in the coming year.

According to the local agriculture office, about 6,500 hectares out of 8,000 hectares of cultivable land remain underwater. Farmers allege that the government has kept the Kaptai Dam closed, preventing water release. Local officials have urged the district administration to consider releasing water to save the crops. However, a Power Development Board (PDB) manager stated that a proposal was made to maintain the current water level until the upcoming national election.

If the water does not recede within the next two weeks, farmers warn that they will miss the planting window entirely, threatening both livelihoods and local food security.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that the country will experience mostly dry weather with partly cloudy skies over the next five days. The forecast, issued Monday morning for the next 120 hours, indicates that night and day temperatures may fluctuate slightly but will largely remain stable. Moderate to dense fog is expected in several regions, particularly from midnight to morning, affecting visibility and transportation.

According to the department, the extended outlook shows no significant weather changes during this period. The subcontinental high-pressure ridge currently lies over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while a seasonal low is positioned over the South Bay of Bengal. On Sunday, Chuadanga recorded the lowest temperature at 11.7°C, while Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar registered the highest at 30.8°C.

Officials advised caution for drivers and river transport operators during early morning hours due to fog. No cold wave is expected, but cooler nights may persist in northwestern districts.

Thousands of low-income farmers in Langadu upazila of Rangamati are facing severe difficulties as water levels in Kaptai Lake have not receded on time. More than 13,000 farmers are unable to plant Boro rice because their fields remain submerged, raising fears of a food shortage in the coming year. Normally, by the Bengali month of Poush, farmers begin seasonal cultivation, but this year the lake’s water continues to flood agricultural land.

Local farmers claim the government has kept the Kaptai dam closed, preventing water release. Agricultural officials report that of Langadu’s 8,000 hectares of farmland, about 6,500 hectares remain underwater. The Upazila Agriculture Office has urged authorities to lower water levels within the month to save the season’s crops. Meanwhile, a Power Development Board manager stated that a proposal was made to maintain current water levels until the upcoming election.

If water is not released soon, thousands of families could face economic hardship and food insecurity, prompting calls for urgent government intervention.

A mobile court in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur has fined a local farmer Tk 50,000 for illegally cutting and selling soil from arable farmland. The operation, led by Assistant Land Commissioner (AC Land) Ankon Pal, took place in Gedd Balapara village under Balapara Union following complaints that the farmer, Ahmed Ali, was removing topsoil and selling it to brick kilns using tractors, damaging both farmland and a nearby paved road.

Officials stated that such actions are strictly prohibited under environmental and agricultural protection laws, as they degrade soil fertility, disrupt crop production, and threaten infrastructure stability. AC Land Pal emphasized that the administration will continue similar drives to curb illegal soil extraction.

Local residents welcomed the enforcement action, urging authorities to ensure a permanent halt to the illegal trade in fertile land soil. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in rural land management and the need for stronger monitoring of agricultural land use in northern Bangladesh.

A thick blanket of fog continued to cover Nawabganj upazila in Dinajpur on Sunday morning, disrupting normal life despite the advancing day. The temperature dropped to 13°C at 6 a.m., with humidity at 95% and wind speed barely reaching 1 km/h, according to the local weather office. Vehicles were forced to move slowly with headlights on even after 10 a.m. due to extremely low visibility.

Residents, especially daily wage earners, have been hit hardest by the cold and fog. Many laborers reported being unable to work, leading to a sharp decline in daily income. CNG driver Tuhin Islam said visibility was so poor that vehicles could not be seen even a few meters ahead, while day laborer Jobbar Fakir lamented that the cold had halted work opportunities.

Officials noted that this is among the coldest periods of the season, with a previous low of 10.8°C recorded earlier. The persistent fog and chill are expected to continue affecting transportation and livelihoods in the coming days.

A new international study led by researchers at Leiden University in the Netherlands has found that increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide is diminishing the nutritional quality of major food crops. While higher CO₂ levels may boost crop yields, the research shows a decline in essential nutrients such as zinc, iron, and protein, alongside a rise in toxic elements like lead. The findings suggest that foods are becoming more calorie-dense but less nutritious.

The decade-long study examined 43 crops, including rice, wheat, potatoes, and tomatoes, analyzing 32 key nutrients. On average, nutrient levels were found to drop by 3.2%, with zinc in chickpeas projected to fall by as much as 37.5%. Lead researcher Sterre Ter Haar described the results as “alarming,” noting that the changes could have serious health implications.

Experts warn that this nutrient decline may worsen global malnutrition, even as food production increases. The study highlights the need for urgent climate action and agricultural adaptation to preserve food quality as atmospheric CO₂ levels have already reached 425.2 parts per million.

Bangladesh’s vast maritime resources remain underutilized due to chronic deficiencies in marine science research and infrastructure. Despite the Bay of Bengal’s economic and ecological importance, the country lacks adequate research vessels, hydrographic survey tools, and modern sonar or satellite data systems. This technological and institutional gap has left policymakers without reliable data on fish stocks, ocean currents, or breeding cycles, resulting in unscientific and often counterproductive fishing policies.

Experts note that the shortage of trained marine scientists, limited research funding, and weak international collaboration have further stalled progress. Universities offering marine science programs struggle with outdated laboratories and minimal publication output. Without regular stock assessments or genetic studies, valuable species such as hilsa, lobster, and shrimp remain vulnerable to overexploitation. Climate change impacts—rising sea levels, salinity shifts, and warming waters—are compounding the crisis.

Analysts urge immediate investment in research vessels, GIS and satellite monitoring, and international partnerships with Japan, Norway, and FAO. Strengthening marine science is seen as essential for sustainable fisheries, biodiversity protection, and unlocking Bangladesh’s blue economy potential.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast a drop in temperature and an increase in cold conditions across Dhaka and surrounding areas. In its six-hour forecast issued Sunday morning, the department reported that skies are likely to remain clear, with dry weather prevailing. Winds from the north-northwest may blow at speeds of 6 to 12 kilometers per hour, and light to moderate fog is expected in the early morning hours.

At 6 a.m., the recorded temperature in Dhaka was 17.8 degrees Celsius, indicating a gradual cooling trend. Officials noted that while no formal cold wave has been declared, the combination of clear skies and northwesterly winds is contributing to a perceptible chill. Residents have been advised to take precautions, especially during early mornings and nights.

Meteorologists expect the cooler conditions to persist for the next few days, with temperatures possibly dipping further if dry continental air continues to dominate. Rural areas in northern Bangladesh, such as Tetulia, are likely to experience even lower temperatures.

A thick blanket of fog has spread across Bangladesh, causing delayed sunlight and an increased feeling of cold, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). The agency said the condition is expected to persist for the next two to three days, with fog stretching from Delhi to Cumilla. Although temperatures have not dropped significantly, the combination of limited sunlight and cold winds from the north has made conditions feel colder.

Meteorologist A.K.M. Nazmul Haque explained that the fog is part of a regional weather pattern influenced by a subcontinental high-pressure ridge extending over West Bengal and adjoining areas. The BMD forecast indicates that Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna divisions may experience moderate to dense fog from midnight to morning, while other regions may see lighter fog. On Saturday, the lowest temperature was recorded at 13°C in Srimangal, and 19.2°C in Dhaka.

The department expects dry weather nationwide with partly cloudy skies until Sunday morning. Daytime temperatures may drop slightly in the northern divisions, though no cold wave has been declared yet.

Seven wild Asian elephants were killed and one calf injured when a high-speed passenger train collided with a herd in northeastern India. The incident occurred near Sairang in Mizoram as the Capital Express, carrying 650 passengers from Guwahati to New Delhi, struck the animals. The impact caused the train’s engine and five coaches to derail, though no passengers were injured, according to Indian Railways spokesperson Kishore Sharma.

Officials said the driver applied emergency brakes after spotting nearly 100 elephants on the tracks but could not avoid the collision. The accident site, about 125 kilometers southeast of Guwahati, lies outside a designated elephant corridor. Veterinary teams conducted autopsies on the elephants, which will be buried the following day.

Assam, home to roughly 7,000 wild elephants, has seen several similar accidents in recent years. Conservationists have urged authorities to improve monitoring and install early-warning systems along railway routes intersecting elephant habitats to prevent future tragedies.

A new study published in the journal *Mobile DNA* reveals that polar bears are undergoing genetic changes that may help them adapt to global warming. Researchers from the University of East Anglia analyzed blood samples from 17 polar bears in northeast and southeast Greenland and found increased activity of so-called 'jumping genes'—mobile DNA elements that influence other genes’ functions.

The study found that rising temperatures have dramatically boosted the activity of these genes in southeastern Greenland bears, altering genetic pathways linked to metabolism, thermal stress, and food processing. Lead researcher Dr. Alice Godden said the findings suggest a potential genetic blueprint for adaptation to warmer environments, though she cautioned that this does not eliminate extinction risks.

Scientists see the discovery as a sign of evolutionary resilience but stress that reducing carbon emissions remains crucial. Without slowing global warming, genetic adaptation alone may not be enough to secure the species’ survival through the century.

The Surma and Kushiyara rivers flowing through Jakiganj in Sylhet are facing an alarming navigability crisis, with water levels dropping drastically during the dry season. Once vibrant waterways supporting transport and fisheries, the rivers have now turned into nearly dry beds, disrupting navigation and local water use. Residents report that once-thriving aquatic life and river-based livelihoods are disappearing as the rivers lose their natural flow.

Experts attribute the deterioration to upstream water flow disruptions, excessive siltation, unplanned encroachments, and the impacts of climate change. The resulting water scarcity has intensified pressure on groundwater, threatening long-term water security and agricultural productivity. Fish breeding has declined sharply, endangering local biodiversity and the income of fishing communities. Pollution has worsened as reduced water volume concentrates industrial and urban waste.

Officials from the Water Development Board say dredging and integrated river management plans are being prepared to restore flow and navigability. Environmentalists warn that without urgent, coordinated action, the Surma–Kushiyara system could face irreversible ecological and socio-economic damage.