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.

Dr. Helal Uddin, Naib-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South, stated that commodity prices would drop by half if extortion could be eliminated. He urged the government to either stop extortion or provide subsidies to ease public suffering, suggesting that such subsidies should come from party funds or commissions rather than loans. He made these remarks on Sunday morning while addressing a program in Shantinagar, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Paltan Thana, where Eid gifts were distributed among the poor and underprivileged.

Helal Uddin blamed the rising prices of essential goods on syndicates of ruling party businessmen and extortion by party activists. He argued that controlling these practices would bring prices within people’s purchasing capacity. According to him, the continuous price hikes have increased public hardship and contributed to a rise in poverty.

The event was presided over by Advocate Maruful Islam, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Paltan Thana, and conducted by Secretary Manjurul Islam. Several other party leaders also spoke at the event.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to slow down the implementation of the new national pay scale due to financial constraints. As a result, uncertainty has arisen over when the long-awaited pay scale for government employees will take effect. The issue may be discussed in the upcoming session of the national parliament.

According to the Finance Division, nearly all of the Tk 40,000 crore reserved in the 2025–26 budget for the pay scale has already been spent on other sectors. Of this, Tk 24,000 crore went to fuel subsidies, Tk 15,000 crore to agricultural loans and social safety programs, and Tk 38.07 crore to the Family Card project. Only Tk 961.93 crore remains available for the pay scale. Officials said implementing such a large-scale financial reform is unrealistic under current conditions, as global energy market volatility and import costs have heavily impacted fiscal planning.

Government employees have expressed disappointment but hope for at least partial adjustments. The proposed scale suggests a minimum salary of Tk 20,000 and a maximum of Tk 160,000, with 20 grades and a reduced ratio of 1:8 between the lowest and highest pay levels.

Bangladesh Bank has increased the maximum loan limit against credit cards to Tk 4 million, up from the previous Tk 2.5 million. The central bank also raised the unsecured loan ceiling to Tk 2 million from Tk 1 million. The Banking Regulation and Policy Department issued a guideline on Sunday outlining these changes.

According to the guideline, the use of credit cards in Bangladesh is steadily rising due to convenience, improved security, more electronic point-of-sale terminals, and various incentives from issuers. Bangladesh Bank stated that the updated framework aims to ensure safe, secure, and efficient credit card operations while promoting digital payments.

The new directives are designed to strengthen risk management, encourage responsible lending, and enhance financial discipline among cardholders. Bank officials noted that the higher limits could increase lending volumes and profitability for banks, though they also acknowledged a potential rise in credit risk.

Commerce, Industry, Textile and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced that the Ministry of Commerce will form a fact-finding committee to investigate the causes of unreasonable price differences between wholesale and retail markets. He made the statement on Sunday after inspecting the price situation at Chattogram’s Khatunganj wholesale market and attending a discussion titled “Middle East Conflict: Review of Consumer Goods Supply and Price Situation.” The committee will include business representatives, administration officials, and other professionals if necessary, and will provide recommendations after a detailed review.

The minister said Bangladesh remains import-dependent, and global price hikes, dollar appreciation, or higher transport costs naturally affect domestic markets. However, the government is alert to prevent unjustified price increases due to internal mismanagement. He also mentioned that the government may consider policy measures to keep essential imported fruits like apples, grapes, and oranges affordable, while luxury fruits will not receive tariff reductions.

Muktadir urged traders to prioritize fairness during Ramadan and commended the relatively stable edible oil market. He warned against overpricing despite adequate supply and held discussions with local officials and business leaders in Chattogram.

Speedboat operations on the Kumira-Guptachhara route in Sandwip, Chattogram resumed at 6 a.m. on Sunday after being suspended for eight consecutive days. The restart comes as a relief for residents traveling home ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. RK Enterprise, the service operator, announced that regular services will continue depending on favorable weather conditions.

RK Enterprise director Joglul Hossain Noyon said the disruption ended after a 9,000-liter octane tanker arrived at the terminal on Saturday evening. He confirmed that fares would remain fixed at 250 taka and that strict measures would be taken to prevent passenger harassment. Former BNP leader Engineer Belayet Hossain stated that he held multiple discussions with Meghna and Jamuna Petroleum officials to resolve the fuel shortage, while local MP Mostafa Kamal Pasha played a key administrative role in ensuring fuel supply.

According to the report, normal daily demand is 3,000 liters of octane, rising to 4,500 liters during Eid. The current supply can sustain operations for only two days, while about 80,000 liters are needed for the full Eid season.

The Chattogram Customs House has announced the auction of 378 containers of goods under directives from the National Board of Revenue (NBR). According to an NBR press release issued on March 15, 2026, the auction will be conducted entirely through an e-auction system to ensure transparency and accountability. A total of 180 containers in 49 lots will be sold under a special order, while 198 containers in 74 lots will be auctioned under a standing order. Interested bidders can inspect the goods throughout March and submit bids online via the official Bangladesh Customs e-auction portal.

The containers include a wide range of items such as chemicals, machinery, plastic scrap, art paper, bitumen, fabrics, household items, vehicle parts, capital machinery, passenger elevators, metal scrap, and kraft liner paper. No reserve prices have been set for the consignments under the special order. Successful bidders must comply with the applicable provisions of the Import Policy Order 2021–2024 when clearing the goods.

The NBR stated that the auction aims to reduce container congestion at Chattogram Port, mitigate related safety risks, prevent wastage of state resources, and enhance port efficiency. Tender boxes for e-auction-2/2026 and e-auction-3/2026 will be opened on March 31 and April 8, respectively.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the deadline for submitting online returns under the e-VAT system until March 29, 2026. The decision was announced in a letter signed by Nahid Naushad Mukul, the NBR’s First Secretary (Additional Charge), on March 15, 2026.

According to the letter, the extension was granted in the public interest due to an extended government holiday period for Eid-ul-Fitr and Independence Day, as well as slower service performance in the e-VAT system. The NBR exercised its authority under Section 64(1a) of the Value Added Tax and Supplementary Duty Act, 2012, to implement this change.

The new deadline applies specifically to the online return submissions for the February 2026 tax period under the e-VAT system.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will formally inaugurate the farmer card distribution program on Pahela Baishakh. The announcement followed a meeting held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, where the Prime Minister presided over discussions on the initiative.

According to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, the meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Aminur Rashid, State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, ICT Adviser Rehan Asif Asad, and State Minister for Local Government, Cooperatives and Rural Development Mir Shahe Alam, among others.

The meeting marked a key preparatory step for the upcoming launch, signaling the government’s focus on agricultural support and digital facilitation for farmers through the new card system.

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.

India may postpone its planned trade agreement with the United States for several months, according to four unnamed Indian sources cited by Reuters. The delay follows a new U.S. investigation into alleged excess industrial production capacity among trade partners, which has heightened tensions between the two countries. India had expected to sign an interim deal in March before finalizing a broader agreement, but the timeline has now been pushed back.

Officials from both sides said they remain in contact to pursue a mutually beneficial deal, though no new signing date has been set. Talks reportedly slowed after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in late February, and Washington’s focus shifted to conflict with Iran. India has reduced but not halted imports of Russian oil, while U.S. officials have urged New Delhi to increase imports to ease global energy shortages.

Analysts said India’s cautious approach is reasonable given ongoing tariff uncertainty and the Section 301 investigation under the 1974 Trade Act. India may present its case to the U.S. Trade Representative or take the matter to the World Trade Organization if needed.

The government of Bangladesh has withdrawn the rationing system in fuel marketing and supply, effective immediately. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit announced the decision on Sunday at a press conference held at the Secretariat. He stated that the rationing system had been introduced earlier due to concerns over possible supply disruptions caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East, but current fuel reserves are now stable and there is no shortage.

According to the minister, the decision aims to ensure uninterrupted travel during the upcoming Eid holidays and to maintain adequate electricity supply for irrigation season. He added that the directive will remain in effect until further notice.

The minister also clarified that the government has no intention to increase fuel prices despite global price hikes, emphasizing that the decision was made considering public interest.

Bangladesh’s Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam announced on Sunday that the government has ended all fuel rationing for public transport across the country. The decision, effective immediately, follows an improvement in fuel supply conditions. The minister stated that fuel distribution and sales will continue normally, as they were before the onset of the Iran war crisis. The move aims to ensure smooth travel and goods transport during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holiday period.

Fuel rationing had been introduced on March 6 amid public panic over a possible shortage linked to fears surrounding the Iran conflict. At that time, the government limited daily fuel allocations for different vehicle types, ranging from 2 liters for motorcycles to 220 liters for long-distance trucks. The restrictions were later eased, including an increase in the motorcycle fuel limit to 5 liters and a reduction in overall rationing from 25 percent to 15 percent.

With the Eid travel surge approaching, the government has now fully withdrawn the rationing system to stabilize transport operations and meet public demand.

A severe shortage of marine fuel and diesel has disrupted both foreign vessel bunkering and domestic lighter ship operations at Chattogram Port. Dealers authorized to supply specialized 0.5 sulfur marine fuel reported that state-owned oil companies Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna have failed to meet their demand despite formal requests. The crisis has also hit lighter vessels transporting goods from mother vessels to inland ports, with daily diesel allocations dropping to one-fifth of requirements.

Officials from the Bangladesh Water Transport Cell (BWTCC) said such a fuel crisis is unprecedented and warned that it could cause congestion at outer anchorage and instability in essential goods markets. They have already informed the government’s top level seeking adequate diesel allocation. Bunker dealers added that high domestic fuel prices compared to Singapore have limited sales, though recent global price hikes have reversed the trend, straining local reserves.

Port authorities expressed concern that continued shortages could force Chattogram to be declared a “no bunkering port,” lowering its international standing. However, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) assured that blending diesel with furnace oil can sustain marine fuel supply and prevent such a declaration.

Fuel traders in 15 districts, including Khulna, have voluntarily stopped lifting and marketing fuel from the depots of Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna since 8 a.m. on Saturday. They allege that the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has failed to supply fuel according to demand, forcing them to take this decision. The traders claim that the current supply from the Khulna depots is only 9 lakh liters daily, against a demand of 40–45 lakh liters across the 15 districts.

An emergency meeting of four fuel business organizations was held at the Khulna Tank Lorry Owners’ building, where leaders said that BPC is citing global crises to justify reduced supply. They had proposed an additional 4.5 lakh liters daily from the three depots, but the proposal was not accepted. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Murad Hossain, vice president of the Bangladesh Fuel Oil Distributors Association.

In Rajshahi, the District Petrol Pump Owners Association warned that if adequate supply is not ensured by Monday, they will also stop lifting fuel. They reported a 30–40 percent supply shortfall and raised concerns over security and administrative cooperation.