A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing region on Wednesday night, February 25, 2026, at around 10:51 p.m. local time, with tremors felt across Bangladesh including the capital Dhaka. The Meteorological Department’s Seismic Observation Center confirmed the event, noting that the quake originated about 75 kilometers southeast of Myanmar’s Maulike area at a depth of approximately 101 kilometers.

Meteorologist Farzana Sultana stated that the epicenter was in neighboring Myanmar, about 462 kilometers from Dhaka, and described it as a moderate earthquake. The tremors were more noticeable in Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas, where residents in places such as Ukhiya, Teknaf, Ramu, Lama, and Naikhongchhari reported shaking.

Residents in multi-story buildings in Cox’s Bazar said they felt the tremor strongly and were alarmed. This follows an earlier 5.9 magnitude earthquake recorded on February 3 in the same region, indicating continued seismic activity near Bangladesh’s southeastern border.

A Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) study has identified mustard cultivation as a promising way to reduce the economic risks faced by farmers in the haor wetlands, who rely almost entirely on boro rice. Frequent early floods often destroy the single annual crop, leaving farmers in debt and uncertainty. The research suggests that short-duration mustard can be grown on fallow land between the recession of floodwaters and the start of boro planting, allowing farmers to harvest an additional crop and lessen financial vulnerability.

The project, led by Professor A. K. M. Mominul Islam and supported by Professor Md. Parvez Anwar, has been running since 2023 under BAURES with funding from City Bank. Trials in Kishoreganj’s Mithamain area found that the BINA Sarisha-9 variety sown on November 20 produced the highest yield, while subsequent boro rice crops also performed strongly. Researchers noted that about 40% of haor land remains unused in the rabi season, and integrating mustard could make farming more profitable and resilient.

Field results and farmer feedback indicate growing interest in mustard cultivation, though challenges remain due to uneven water recession and unsuitable lowland plots.

Erosion has begun along the eastern bank of the Jamuna River in Jotpara area of Chauhali upazila, Sirajganj, as water levels start to recede. The erosion, reportedly caused by the movement of sand-laden bulkheads, has put a Tk 107 crore embankment built in 2016 by the Tangail Water Development Board at serious risk. Local residents have staged repeated protests demanding a halt to bulkhead movement to protect the riverbank and the upazila headquarters.

According to the report, over 500 homesteads and farmlands, as well as the upazila parishad, educational institutions, union councils, and local markets, are under threat. The area remains geographically isolated due to poor communication and recurring river erosion. Residents claim that unrestricted bulkhead traffic is the main cause of the current erosion.

Authorities have intervened to stop bulkhead movement after locals gathered to block the river route. Police and administrative officials confirmed that operations were halted, though a few bulkheads remain stranded due to navigability issues.

Farmers under the Aricha Kashadah Irrigation Project in Shibalaya, Manikganj, are facing fears of an irrigation crisis during the peak Irri-Boro cultivation season. The concern arises after large sandbars emerged in the Jamuna River, obstructing water flow to the project area. The project, launched on December 1, 1979, by Shahid President Ziaur Rahman under a canal excavation program, initially irrigated 1,500 acres using 20 power pumps. Currently, only three pumps remain operational, barely sustaining the system.

The project, which has supported around 2,000 farmers across 12 villages for 46 years, provides low-cost irrigation with iron-free river water, preserving soil fertility. Despite government investments of about 210 million taka for canal re-excavation and infrastructure upgrades, siltation and riverbed rise have severely reduced water availability. Farmers and local leaders warn that without dredging the newly formed sandbars, Boro cultivation could halt, leading to food shortages in the area.

Shibalaya Upazila Executive Officer Monisha Rani Karmakar said the site has been inspected and priority projects will be initiated in consultation with the agriculture department to address the crisis.

Severe rainfall in Brazil’s southeastern Minas Gerais state has caused devastating floods, killing at least 23 people and leaving more than 40 missing, according to local authorities. The worst-hit area is Juiz de Fora municipality, where 18 deaths have been confirmed. Rescue teams are searching for survivors trapped under mud and debris, while nearby Ubá city reported seven additional fatalities. At least 440 residents have been displaced as floodwaters and landslides destroyed homes and infrastructure.

Juiz de Fora’s mayor, Margarida Salomão, said the city experienced over 180 millimeters of rain in just four hours, triggering at least 20 landslides. She described the event as the most tragic day of her administration. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pledged full government support, emphasizing humanitarian aid, restoration of essential services, and assistance for displaced families.

The national meteorological agency warned that rainfall may continue in the coming days, potentially complicating ongoing rescue and relief operations across the affected regions.

The Department of Environment has fined Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Tk 960,000 for illegally cutting a hill in the Joypahar residential area of Jamal Khan, Chattogram. The order was issued on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following a hearing at the department’s Chattogram Metropolitan Office, presided over by Director Sonia Sultana.

Assistant Director Muktadir Hasan confirmed that an on-site inspection and document verification found evidence of hill cutting at the listed location. The inspection report stated that approximately 9,600 cubic feet of hill had been cut, measuring about 150 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 8 feet in height. Under Section 6(b) of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended 2010), the act was deemed an offense, and an environmental damage assessment was conducted under Section 7, setting compensation at Tk 100 per cubic foot.

BPC representatives, including DGM S.M. Zobayer Hossain and LDA Md. Shihab Uddin, attended the hearing, while Inspector Muhammad Ashfaqur Rahman and Senior Technician Md. Omar Faruk represented the prosecution.

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie announced that prolonged suspension of canal excavation has worsened public suffering due to irrigation shortages and waterlogging across Bangladesh. Speaking at an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday, he said the government will take all necessary measures for public welfare and directed relevant ministries to submit action plans within three days to make the canal excavation program visible and effective.

The minister emphasized sustainable excavation, livelihood support, biodiversity conservation, and modern waste management strategies. State Minister Azad stated that under the government’s electoral pledge, 20,000 kilometers of canals will be excavated and 50 million trees planted over the next five years, with the Water Resources Ministry leading implementation. He called for a coordinated work plan for the current and upcoming fiscal years.

The meeting was attended by state ministers from the agriculture, food, fisheries, local government, and disaster management ministries, which will jointly execute the program.

A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. The storm has caused widespread travel disruption, with more than 5,000 flights canceled and around 600 delayed across the country, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. New York City has issued a travel ban, while several states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have declared states of emergency.

FlightAware reported that the highest number of cancellations occurred at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia airports. JetBlue Airways said it had already canceled 776 flights and warned passengers of significant disruptions and cancellations through February 24. The National Weather Service forecast that the storm would affect the U.S. Northeast and much of the Canadian Maritimes from Sunday evening through Monday.

Forecasters described the system as potentially the strongest “nor’easter” in nearly a decade, warning of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding across affected areas.

A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. New York City has issued a full travel ban from Sunday night to Monday noon, with Mayor Zohraan Mamdani announcing the closure of all roads, highways, bridges, and schools. Several states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, have declared states of emergency as thousands of flights were canceled due to the blizzard.

The U.S. National Weather Service forecasted that this could be the strongest nor’easter in nearly a decade, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding. New York City is expecting 18 to 24 inches of snow, with temperatures dropping to around minus six degrees Celsius. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide emergency and deployed about 100 National Guard members, warning that Long Island and New York City lie directly in the storm’s path.

Governors across the region have taken precautionary measures, including shutting down public transport in New Jersey and restricting commercial traffic in Connecticut, as the storm continues to intensify through Monday.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan announced that the government has planned to excavate 20,000 kilometers of canals across Bangladesh. He made the statement on Sunday while inaugurating a canal re-excavation program at Sharikal Union in Gournadi upazila of Barishal. The initiative is part of the Barishal, Bhola, Jhalakathi, and Pirojpur district irrigation development project. The minister said the program aims to ensure tidal water reaches farmers’ lands directly, improving agricultural productivity.

Swapan recalled that the canal excavation program initiated by Shaheed Ziaur Rahman had previously increased food production, but lack of maintenance later reduced its benefits. He said the new program, launched under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, seeks to restore those gains. Alongside canal re-excavation, a tree planting campaign has also begun as part of the broader environmental effort.

The minister emphasized that the government would not be partisan and that bureaucrats and police should be enabled to serve the public effectively. He added that the nationwide canal excavation program would be formally inaugurated soon, with local administration officials present at the Barishal event.

Member of Parliament for Bagerhat-2, Manjurul Haque Rahad, led a large-scale cleanliness campaign across important areas of Bagerhat municipality on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The drive covered busy locations including the court premises, Bagerhat Sadar Hospital compound, and several municipal roads and public spaces. Local dignitaries, municipal workers, and residents participated, distributing leaflets and delivering short speeches to raise public awareness about cleanliness.

During the event, MP Rahad emphasized the importance of maintaining order and hygiene in society, stating that a clean city is a shared responsibility. He highlighted that keeping hospitals and public gathering places clean is vital for public health. Rahad announced plans to improve waste management, ensure regular cleaning, and enhance civic awareness to transform Bagerhat into a modern and healthy city.

Local residents welcomed the initiative, noting that the direct involvement of their elected representative had given new momentum to cleanliness efforts. They expressed hope that consistent monitoring and coordinated action would bring visible improvements to the municipal environment.

At least 72 tigers have died from a viral infection at a zoo in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand, according to a statement issued Friday by the provincial livestock department. Tests confirmed that the animals were infected with the highly contagious canine distemper virus and also suffered from bacterial respiratory infections. The zoo, known as Tigers Kingdom, has been temporarily closed following the mass deaths.

Somchuan Rattanamungklanon, director of Thailand’s national livestock department, told local media that detecting illness in tigers is more difficult than in domestic animals such as dogs or cats, and by the time symptoms become apparent, it is often too late. The zoo, a popular tourist attraction, allowed visitors to hug and take photos with tigers.

Animal rights group PETA said in a statement to AFP that the tigers lived and died in distressing, confined, and fearful conditions. The organization added that if tourists stayed away, such facilities would quickly become unprofitable and tragedies like this would not occur.

According to data from the Air Quality Index (IQAir) released on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 9:18 a.m., Lahore, Pakistan, recorded the highest level of air pollution in the world. The city’s air quality score reached 390, placing it in the hazardous category. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranked second with a score of 250, indicating very unhealthy air conditions. Kolkata, India, followed in third place with a score of 218, also classified as very unhealthy.

The IQAir index categorizes air quality based on numerical scores: 0–50 is considered good, 51–100 moderate, 101–150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 unhealthy, 201–300 very unhealthy, and above 301 hazardous. The latest readings highlight severe air pollution across major South Asian cities, with Lahore’s air quality reaching a dangerous level and Dhaka’s remaining critically poor.

The report underscores persistent air quality challenges in the region, signaling ongoing health and environmental risks for urban populations if pollution levels remain high.

The once-mighty Padma River in Rajbari has turned into a narrow channel as vast stretches have dried up, exposing numerous sandbars across nearly fifty kilometers. The shrinking river has reduced navigability and created acute water shortages for hundreds of families living in the char areas. Locals report that the river has become so shallow that crossing it on foot may soon be possible.

Residents recall that three decades ago, the river maintained strong flow even in dry seasons. Now, farmers struggle to transport crops and goods from the opposite bank, often resorting to walking or using animal carts. Livestock owners travel long distances to bathe and water their cattle as nearby ponds have dried up, and tube wells no longer yield water.

According to Subrata Kumar, Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board’s Rajbari Sadar Division, reduced upstream flow and lower surface-level capacity have caused the drying. He added that decreased water release from the Farakka Barrage is a major factor. A survey is underway to determine the full extent of the problem.

A severe shortage of drinking water has gripped Charfassion in Bhola as groundwater levels have fallen sharply, leaving thousands of deep tube wells dry. According to the report published on February 22, 2026, water is no longer coming from about 12,000 deep tube wells across Charfassion municipality and 21 unions. Residents are now forced to collect water from ponds, canals, and ditches, causing widespread suffering. The lack of clean water has disrupted daily life, including prayer activities in mosques, and raised health concerns due to the use of contaminated surface water.

The Department of Public Health Engineering in Charfassion stated that around 10–12 thousand government-installed deep tube wells exist in the area, along with over a hundred thousand privately owned ones. Of these, about 2,500 government-funded and more than 40,000 private tube wells are currently nonfunctional. Officials said the groundwater level has been dropping by about two feet each year, worsened by irrigation-related extraction. The Upazila administration has advised contacting the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation to address the issue.

The crisis has heightened risks of waterborne diseases, particularly among children, as residents rely on unsafe water sources.