Three female lions died within a week at Tama Zoological Park in Hino, in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, as severe heat affected parts of Asia. The zoo suspects heat stress as a preliminary cause. Three-year-old Mugi died on July 28, 11-year-old Ichigo died three days later, and 15-year-old Luena died on Sunday.

The zoo closed its lion exhibit in late July after several animals showed symptoms including loss of appetite and lethargy. Staff sprayed water, used large industrial fans and administered intravenous fluids to cool and treat the animals. Ten lions received treatment; four are recovering while three remain ill. Officials said post-mortem examinations will determine the formal cause of death, although dehydration and signs of multiple organ failure were found in all three lions.

Some parts of Japan recorded temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or higher for five consecutive days in late July. South Korea recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius in Yangsan on Sunday, its highest temperature in 122 years of weather records. The World Meteorological Organization warned that a strengthening super El Niño could raise the likelihood of above-normal temperatures in large parts of the world in coming months.

Continuous heavy rainfall and mountain runoff from upstream in India have pushed the Teesta River above its danger level in Lalmonirhat. At 9am on Wednesday, August 5, water at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage was flowing 13 centimetres above the danger mark. The water began rising rapidly from Tuesday night, raising fears of severe flooding among residents of riverside areas.

The Water Development Board and local sources said heavy rainfall in the upstream Indian areas over several days had increased the river’s flow. Roads and cropland in char areas have begun to go underwater, while low-lying riverside parts of Lalmonirhat have already been flooded. Boats and rafts have become the only means of communication in some char areas. Waterlogged families are facing hardship with livestock, children, elderly people and persons with disabilities, alongside concerns over snakes and poisonous insects.

Residents said flood-control embankments and elevated riverside roads are at risk under intense water pressure, alleging that the embankments have not been repaired for a long time. Dalia Water Development Board Executive Engineer Amitabh Chowdhury confirmed the water level. Lalmonirhat Executive Engineer Sunil Kumar Ray urged riverside and char residents to move with maximum caution.

At least seven people have died in landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rain in central Sri Lanka, according to an Al Jazeera report published Tuesday. Several others were injured, while schools in the country’s central highland areas were ordered closed because of the conditions. Heavy rainfall caused extensive damage in the tea-producing mountainous region.

Pradeep Kodippili, a spokesperson for the government’s Disaster Management Centre, said five people died after two houses were buried by landslides in the central region. Two other people drowned in floodwaters. The rain and flooding damaged 129 homes, and about 3,500 people were moved to safer locations.

Sri Lanka’s navy and army were deployed to rescue people stranded by floodwaters. Footage aired by local broadcaster Hiru TV showed soldiers walking along submerged roads to evacuate trapped families. Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts are mountainous and difficult to access, with slopes long vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season. Officials have not announced when schools in affected districts will reopen, saying the decision will depend on weather conditions in the coming days.

Heavy rainfall and upstream flows have made the Teesta turbulent in Nilphamari, where water is running 13 centimeters above the danger level. At 9am on Wednesday, the water level at the Dalia point in Dimla was recorded at 52.28 centimeters, against a danger mark of 52.15 centimeters. The river remained at the same level at 10am.

Floodwater has begun entering low-lying areas in Dimla upazila, including Purba Chhatnai, Khagakharibari, Tepakharibari, Khalisha Chapani, Jhunagach Chapani and Goyabari unions. Low-lying areas of Golmunda, Dawabari and Shaulmari unions in Jaldhaka upazila have also started receiving floodwater.

The district’s average rainfall was recorded at 132.0 millimeters. Authorities opened 44 sluice gates on the barrage. Amitabh Chowdhury, executive engineer of the Dalia Water Development Board, said Teesta water had been flowing 13 centimeters above the danger level since 6am.

The Department of Environment fined AristoCare, a private hospital in Chattogram’s Mehedibag area, Tk150,000 for operating without environmental clearance. The decision was announced after a hearing at the Department of Environment’s Chattogram metropolitan office on Monday.

According to the department, the hospital began medical operations on Mehedibag Road in the city’s Chawkbazar area without obtaining approval, violating the Environment Conservation Act, 1995, as amended in 2010. Operating without location clearance falls under environmental law violations. Assistant Director Muktadir Hasan said the hospital authorities were summoned to the hearing and acknowledged the irregularities, after which the fine was imposed under the law.

The hospital has also been instructed to promptly ensure proper and scientific management of liquid waste. The Department of Environment warned that operations may continue only after appropriate liquid-waste treatment arrangements are in place. Hasan said enforcement drives and legal action against establishments operating illegally without environmental clearance will continue to prevent environmental pollution.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Dhaka University unit submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam on Tuesday, August 4, seeking six measures to improve cleanliness and environmental protection across the university campus, residential halls and academic buildings. The programme was held at the vice-chancellor’s office at 10:30am under the themes “Green & Clean Campus First” and “Let us build cleanliness habits, build a vibrant campus.”

The demands included installing sufficient bins and separating waste, ensuring shop cleanliness, conducting regular cleaning drives, improving sanitation, centrally monitoring canteens and cafeterias, and planting and preserving trees. The memorandum called for at least one bin within every 150 to 200 metres, separate coloured bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, and regular maintenance.

The organisation proposed cleaning campaigns at least two days a month in every residential hall and academic building with student participation. It also sought repairs and upkeep of toilets and washrooms, bins outside shops, measures encouraging biodegradable alternatives to plastic cups and bags, and quarterly food and environment white papers based on monitoring data. Unit president Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and general secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon attended.

A 54-kilogram giant trevally, locally known as tabala fish, was caught in deep waters of the Bay of Bengal off Kuakata in Patuakhali. The fish was brought to Mahipur fish landing centre on Tuesday morning and purchased at auction by local fish trader Rubel Gharami for Tk36,000, or about Tk667 per kilogram.

Fishermen said the fish was caught in the net of the fishing trawler FB Salma Karim. It was sold through the Ankhi Fish and Tahura Fish wholesale outlets, drawing local traders, fishermen and curious visitors. Experts identified it as giant trevally, Caranx ignobilis, a powerful marine predator from the Carangidae family that can exceed one metre in length and weigh up to about 80 kilograms.

Bakhtiar Rahman, a research assistant with the Shustho Sagor project, said the species is occasionally caught along Bangladesh's coast and helps regulate populations of smaller fish, crabs and squid. Fisheries academic Rajib Sarkar called for documenting identification, size, weight and catch location, while fisheries officer Apu Saha noted its economic value for fishermen.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said canal restoration and regular maintenance are being given the highest priority to reduce waterlogging, preserve environmental balance and ensure sustainable urban management. He made the remarks while inspecting Chaktai Canal in the city on Tuesday, August 4. The mayor said keeping the canals’ water flow active is among the corporation’s key commitments.

Shahadat said ensuring the natural flow of canals is essential to transform Chattogram into a clean, safe and waterlogging-free city. He described canals as more than drainage routes, saying they are also an important part of the city’s environmental balance. He called for uninterrupted canal restoration, routine cleaning and development work.

The mayor said progress in ongoing excavation and cleaning at Rasulbagh, or Chaktai, Canal was satisfactory. He added that every project funded by public money must ensure transparency, accountability and quality. Chattogram-9 lawmaker Abu Sufian and City Corporation Chief Cleanliness Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury were present during the inspection.

The Burichong উপজেলা administration has formed a nine-member conservation committee to protect a migratory bird habitat in Kishore Nagar village, Cumilla. The initiative was announced after উপজেলা নির্বাহী কর্মকর্তা Md Tanvir Hossain visited the site on Monday afternoon and met local residents, landowners, representatives and community figures. The administration said it aims to ensure safe movement for the birds and protect the natural environment.

The habitat spans about three acres of bamboo groves, ponds and trees of various species owned by four families. It hosts five to six species of migratory birds each year, with the birds staying for around three to four months from Jyaishtha to Shraban. The meeting noted that hunting is not common locally, though some people occasionally try to catch birds.

Engineer Tofazzal was named convener and the উপজেলা forest officer member secretary of the committee. Plans include installing warning signs, using fencing or barbed wire in vulnerable areas where necessary, and planting more trees. The administration also plans awareness activities involving local people. Residents welcomed the effort, while Hossain said the administration would take necessary measures with public cooperation.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shahe Alam called on residents to act responsibly in building a clean, environmentally friendly and livable Dhaka. He spoke on August 3 at a RAJUK-organized consultation at Gulshan Society Park in the capital, involving society members from Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Niketan on sewage management.

Shah Alam said activities were under way to improve greening, cleanliness and modern urban management in Dhaka under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He said active public participation was vital alongside government agencies for those initiatives to succeed. The minister said the government would seriously consider problems and suggestions raised by society representatives and take steps toward practical and sustainable solutions, while seeking patience and cooperation.

Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher assured participants that sewerage networks in the four areas would be connected in phases by pipeline to the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant. Representatives raised issues concerning sewage management, environmental protection and other civic services during an open discussion. Five private companies also gave brief presentations on sewage treatment plant technology and modern sewage management.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said coordinated action by ministries, agencies and local government institutions is needed for sustainable pollution control, effective waste management and environmental protection. He made the remarks while chairing a ministerial discussion on waste management, water pollution and other pollution controls at the Local Government Division’s meeting room in the Secretariat on Tuesday.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu and State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam attended the meeting. Alamgir described environmental pollution as one of the country’s major challenges, citing urbanisation, unplanned waste management, dumping waste into rivers and water bodies, and the use of single-use plastics and polythene as growing pressures on the environment. He said the problems require planned, integrated measures rather than isolated initiatives.

The minister said government action alone would not be sufficient, stressing public awareness and environmentally friendly behaviour. He called for measures to reduce harmful polythene bags and expand use of environmentally friendly alternatives. Participants discussed water pollution, solid-waste management, pollution control, river conservation and polythene regulation, while speakers emphasised stronger inter-ministerial coordination.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a consultation with experts to address existing water-management challenges and secure sustainable solutions for the country. The meeting took place on Tuesday at the Prime Minister’s Office under the Cabinet Division at the Secretariat, according to Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

Environmental, water and engineering specialists, along with representatives of several related institutions, attended under the leadership of social development organisation Footsteps Bangladesh. Participants shared experience and recommendations on water-management problems, current limitations and possible solutions. They urged long- and medium-term planning, use of modern technology, stronger coordination among relevant agencies and effective action that considers the impacts of climate change.

Discussions covered canal restoration, the stability of rivers and embankments, improvements to urban drainage, wastewater treatment and rainwater management. Participants also stressed the need for integrated and effective urban planning amid rapid urbanisation. The prime minister listened to the experts and assured them of cooperation to support sustainable development, environmental protection and safe, effective water management for citizens.

Chattogram Development Authority is preparing a new 25-year masterplan after about 80 percent of the city’s two previous plans remained unimplemented, according to the report published on August 4, 2026. CDA said 87 percent of work on the project had been completed. The proposal would combine the city’s 41 wards with five municipalities, two upazilas and parts of six other upazilas.

The 1961 and 1995 plans called for protecting hills, farmland, water bodies and green areas, while building roads, bus terminals and railway overbridges. Research and environmental groups cited in the report say about 120 hills have disappeared over three decades and 23,000 ponds have been lost in the past two decades. At least 500 buildings have been constructed over canals, the report said.

The plan is budgeted at Tk35.88 crore and proposes 276 projects across 19 sectors. It includes conservation of hills, water bodies and the Karnaphuli River, alongside a “One City Two Town” concept to reduce pressure on the city. Urban experts called for legal reforms, increased CDA staffing and coordination among agencies. CDA Chairman Belayet Hossain said all would be required to follow building laws and agencies would work in coordination.

Severe flooding in Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram has caused extensive damage to vegetables and other crops, affecting 27,000 farmers, the report said. Crops on 3,446.5 hectares of land were submerged by hill runoff and tidal water from the sea. The report was published on August 4, 2026.

Most vegetable fields were inundated in Pui Chhari, Napora, Shekherkhil, Chambal, Jaldi, Bailchhari, Gandamara, Baraghona, Saral, Katharia, Baharchhara, Pukuria and Sadhanpur, reducing production. A significant share of vegetables sold in Chattogram markets comes from Banshkhali. Helal, a vegetable grower from East Pui Chhari, said most of his bitter gourd field was destroyed, while the remaining produce was selling for Tk100 per kilogram.

Local prices have risen sharply, with bitter gourd, tomatoes, yardlong beans and okra selling for Tk120 to Tk160 per kilogram, while green chilies cost Tk200. Most vegetables had sold for Tk10 to Tk15 per kilogram only days before the flood. Agriculture officer Shyamal Chandra Sarkar put official agricultural losses at about Tk55 crore. Farmers say actual losses exceed Tk100 crore and seek aid and quickly available loans on easy terms.

A leak has developed in a main Titas Gas transmission pipeline running beneath the Arial Kha River in Kazirchar village of Masua Union, Katiadi upazila, Kishoreganj. The report, published on August 4, said gas has been escaping at high pressure for a prolonged period and has not yet been fully controlled. Continuous bubbles are visible on the river surface and a strong gas smell is spreading through the air, causing concern and fear among riverside residents.

Residents alleged that the pipeline was damaged during an attempt to obtain an illegal gas connection for a lime-making factory beside the river, though the allegation has not been confirmed by investigation. The pipeline was installed about three decades ago to supply gas from Narsingdi to Kishoreganj. A hole recently formed at one of its welding joints, allowing gas to escape. The factory was closed after the allegations emerged, while its owner and workers could not be found.

Repair supervisor Noman Mia said the large hole at the welding section has made repairs difficult, with 20 to 25 workers working continuously for several weeks. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shamima Afroze Marliz visited the site and said the factory’s legal documents would be checked and the cause investigated. Locals demanded prompt repairs, an impartial inquiry and legal action against those involved.