Climate change has become a harsh daily reality for Bangladesh, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Rising global temperatures are directly and indirectly affecting rivers, agriculture, forests, biodiversity, and human life. The country’s northwestern Barind region is already showing early signs of dryness and desertification, prompting warnings from international climate and desertification researchers that the area may gradually turn into a desert.

In response, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has set four key criteria for assessing climate impacts: identifying the most affected populations, determining regions most prone to natural disasters, evaluating population exposure to risk, and reviewing adaptation measures taken by affected areas or countries. Based on these indicators, Bangladesh is now facing a multidimensional crisis encompassing environmental, social, and economic challenges.

The situation underscores the urgency for comprehensive adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect vulnerable ecosystems such as the Sundarbans and safeguard communities from escalating climate threats.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) announced that the government has not yet made any decision to increase fuel prices amid the current crisis. The statement, signed by BPC Secretary Shahina Sultana and issued on Friday, emphasized that fuel must be sold at government-fixed prices and that charging extra under the pretext of crisis is a legal offense. It also noted that fuel prices are set by the government at the beginning of each month.

The BPC further stated that reports have emerged of some consumers attempting to stockpile fuel by purchasing more than necessary from dealers and filling stations. The matter has come to the attention of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and other relevant authorities. To reduce public fear, the BPC assured that fuel imports and distribution across the country are continuing as scheduled, with regular shipments arriving and supplies being sent to depots by rail wagons and tankers.

The corporation expressed hope that a sufficient buffer stock of fuel will be established in the country within a short period.

A sudden rush for fuel gripped Sylhet city on Thursday night and Friday as rumors spread that global tensions in the Middle East could trigger a rise in fuel prices. Long queues formed at petrol pumps, with many buyers attempting to stock up on petrol, octane, and diesel. Some stations began rationing fuel, limiting sales to 200 taka per motorcycle. Dealers said the panic buying created an artificial shortage, though supplies remained adequate and normal distribution was expected to resume by Sunday.

Fuel traders and pump owners confirmed that the government had fixed prices for March—diesel at 100 taka, kerosene at 112, petrol at 116, and octane at 120 taka per liter—and no price increase was planned mid-month. They urged consumers not to crowd stations unnecessarily, noting that depots remain closed on weekends, which temporarily constrained supply.

Officials from the Sylhet division’s petrol pump owners’ association and the national petroleum dealers’ body reiterated that there was no actual shortage and appealed for patience until regular supply resumes.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, visited petrol pumps in Dhaka’s Asad Gate area on Friday, March 6, 2026, following a sudden increase in fuel demand. The surge came amid rumors about supply disruptions and price hikes linked to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East. During his inspection, the minister urged citizens not to purchase or store extra fuel, assuring that the country has sufficient reserves and that supply remains stable.

He emphasized that there is no reason for panic and that the government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure steady distribution. The minister also called on drivers and the general public to avoid spreading unnecessary fear regarding fuel availability. His visit aimed to raise awareness and counter misinformation circulating in the market.

Authorities reiterated that fuel supply across Bangladesh remains normal and that the government is maintaining constant oversight to prevent any artificial crisis.

Production at the Ghorashal-Polash Urea Fertilizer Factory in Narsingdi has been suspended due to the ongoing gas shortage in Bangladesh. The environmentally friendly plant, one of Southeast Asia’s major urea producers, stopped operations at 3 p.m. on March 4, 2026. The shutdown has sparked fears of fertilizer shortages during the peak Boro rice cultivation season. Built at a cost of about Tk 15,000 crore, the plant began operations in 2024 with a daily capacity of 2,800 metric tons of urea.

According to factory officials, the plant had been running at full capacity since its inauguration, producing 2,846 metric tons in the last 24 hours before closure. The facility requires 71–72 MMCFD of gas for continuous production but can operate with 52–53 MMCFD. Currently, about 525,000 metric tons of fertilizer remain in storage. Authorities have not confirmed when production will resume, as gas supply remains uncertain.

The factory management expressed hope that gas supply will be restored soon to resume production and maintain timely loan installment payments derived from fertilizer sales.

State Minister for Energy Anindya Islam Amit announced that Bangladesh will introduce a rationing system for fuel sales starting Sunday to prevent long-term energy shortages. He said written instructions will be sent to petrol pumps, following his inspection of a station in Paribagh on Friday. The minister emphasized that the government has sufficient fuel reserves and urged the public not to panic.

Amit explained that public concern over fuel availability is understandable given the ongoing war situation, but assured that there is no reason for alarm. He noted that fuel supply had been increased several times in recent days and that consumers were purchasing more than usual. The government, he said, is working to minimize public hardship.

The minister added that global fuel prices have risen sharply, creating pressure on the domestic market. While the government will try to avoid price hikes, he said any unavoidable adjustments will be shared transparently with citizens, seeking their understanding and support.

The Kremlin said on Friday that the ongoing United States-Israeli war on Iran has led to a significant rise in global demand for Russian oil and gas. The announcement came a day after the US Treasury granted India a 30-day waiver to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea. The conflict, now in its seventh day, has nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off access to about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia remains a reliable supplier capable of maintaining all contracted deliveries but declined to disclose potential export volumes to India.

International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol warned that turning back to Russian gas would be economically and politically misguided, emphasizing Europe’s past overreliance on Russian energy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to present options to address rising energy prices at an upcoming EU summit. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times that Gulf producers may halt exports if the conflict persists, potentially driving oil prices to $150 a barrel and gas to $40 per million British thermal units.

Benchmark US crude rose 4.1 percent to $84.36 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed 1.7 percent to $87, nearing its highest level since April 2024.

The United States has granted India a temporary waiver allowing it to increase imports of Russian oil, reversing months of pressure on New Delhi. The license, issued late Thursday, permits transactions for Russian crude and petroleum products loaded before March 5, provided they are delivered to India and purchased by Indian firms. The waiver expires on April 4 at 12:01 a.m. Washington time. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the 30-day measure aims to keep oil flowing into global markets without providing significant financial benefit to Russia.

The decision comes as escalating conflict in the Persian Gulf disrupts energy flows, threatening supplies to major importers. The move offers immediate relief to India, one of the economies most affected by the turmoil, by allowing refiners to secure stranded Russian cargoes and stabilize operations. It also represents a policy shift by the Trump administration, which had previously imposed tariffs and sanctions to curb India’s Russian oil purchases.

Analysts noted that while the waiver is short-term, it could reshape Russian crude pricing and trade flows in the coming weeks as competition for supply intensifies.

The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has set daily fuel purchase limits for vehicles across the country following global energy supply disruptions caused by attacks in Iran. In a notice issued on March 6, 2026, BPC said the measure aims to prevent panic buying and ensure stable fuel distribution. Motorcycles can buy up to 2 liters of petrol or octane per day, private cars 10 liters, SUVs and microbuses 20–25 liters, pickups and local buses 70–80 liters, and long-distance buses and trucks 200–220 liters of diesel.

BPC explained that about 95 percent of Bangladesh’s fuel is imported, and recent global instability has delayed some shipments. Reports of hoarding and excessive withdrawals by dealers and consumers prompted the new restrictions. Filling stations must issue receipts showing quantity and price, and buyers must present previous bills for repeat purchases. Dealers are required to follow quotas and report depot stock and sales data.

BPC assured that fuel imports and nationwide distribution continue regularly and that sufficient buffer stocks will be built soon. It warned that selling fuel above government-fixed prices is a punishable offense.

Three young men were detained and handed over to police after being beaten by locals in Abhoynagar upazila of Jashore. The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Thursday night, March 5, in Gopinathpur village under Shubharara Union. Locals seized a foreign-made 9mm pistol, six rounds of ammunition, and an empty magazine from the suspects. Their motorcycle was also set on fire during the confrontation.

According to Abhoynagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge SM Nuruzzaman, the three detainees are Riaz Sardar alias Surjo Sardar (28), Shakil Sardar (25), and Robiul Molla (23), all residents of nearby villages. Locals said they were conducting a night patrol when they stopped the suspects’ motorcycle for a search. One of the men allegedly tried to flee after showing a pistol, prompting the mob to capture and beat them before handing them to police.

Police recovered the burned motorcycle from the scene and filed a case under the Arms Act against the three detainees.

A passenger bus carrying attendees to a Hindu wedding lost control and fell into a roadside ditch in Bagerhat on Friday afternoon. The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on the Barakpur–Polerhat road near Fakir Bari area, leaving several passengers injured.

According to local sources, the bus was traveling from Jashore to the Kalibari area when it veered off the road and plunged into the ditch. Worshippers from a nearby mosque and local residents rushed to the scene and rescued the trapped passengers. Locals said the quick response of the mosque-goers and residents prevented a potentially serious loss of life.

The incident caused brief panic in the area, but the situation was brought under control through prompt rescue efforts.

The Bangladesh government has issued new directives to regulate fuel purchases at filling stations as global energy markets face disruption due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The directives, released by the Energy Division on Friday, aim to control panic buying and manage limited supplies in Dhaka, where long queues and disputes have been reported at fuel stations.

According to the new rules, filling stations must provide receipts specifying fuel type, quantity, and price for each purchase, and consumers must present previous receipts when refueling again. Dealers are required to follow allocation limits and supply guidelines, while fuel marketing companies must verify stock and sales data before releasing new allocations. The directives also set limits on how much fuel stations can draw from depots and how much consumers can buy.

The measures are intended to stabilize domestic fuel distribution and prevent hoarding as Bangladesh experiences the ripple effects of the global energy shortage.

The Kremlin has reported a significant rise in global demand for Russian energy products due to the ongoing war in Iran, according to Al Jazeera. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the conflict has increased the need for Russian oil and gas in world markets. He emphasized that Russia remains a reliable supplier of both pipeline and liquefied energy resources.

The war has also disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes, which is now nearly closed. This disruption has placed many countries at risk of losing access to about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. A day earlier, the U.S. Treasury granted a 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea.

Analysts cited in the report noted that if tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, Russia’s role in the global energy market could become even more significant.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Division under Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has issued new directives urging immediate energy-saving measures across all sectors. The announcement, made on March 6, 2026, responds to potential disruptions in international energy supply chains caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The ministry emphasized the need for precautionary actions to ensure national energy security and optimal resource utilization.

The directives call on government offices, autonomous bodies, private organizations, commercial establishments, and citizens to adopt specific conservation practices. These include reducing unnecessary gas and fuel consumption, checking gas pipelines and burners for leaks, avoiding illegal gas use, promoting public transport and carpooling, and limiting non-essential travel. Institutions are instructed to implement energy-saving measures during and after office hours.

The ministry also urged all concerned parties to raise public awareness and cooperate in implementing the guidelines to safeguard national energy security.

Police have arrested Fazlur Rahman, the prime accused in the murder case of Asma Sadia Runa, chairperson and assistant professor of the Social Welfare Department at Islamic University. The arrest was confirmed on Friday, March 6, by the case’s investigating officer, Abdullah Al Mamun. Fazlur Rahman, a university employee, is currently under police guard at Kushtia General Hospital’s ICU, where he is receiving treatment for serious injuries. He has provided a written confession to police admitting responsibility for the killing, and doctors have stated that his condition is now stable.

The investigating officer said that police have begun their work following the filing of the murder case and are continuing efforts to arrest the remaining accused. Two of the other suspects are university teachers. The case was filed by the victim’s husband, Imtiaz Sultan, on Thursday morning under sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code, naming four individuals including Fazlur Rahman. The other accused are former deputy registrar Bishwajit Kumar Biswas, assistant professor Shyam Sundar Sarkar, and assistant professor Habibur Rahman.