Continuous heavy rainfall over the past three days has severely disrupted daily life across Bangladesh, including the capital Dhaka. The unseasonal downpour ahead of Eid-ul-Azha has caused widespread waterlogging in low-lying areas, halting normal activities and creating severe difficulties for people traveling home for the holidays and for livestock markets preparing for the festival.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, rainfall in Dhaka reached 57 millimeters on Monday evening, 68 millimeters on Tuesday, and 42 millimeters in the 24 hours ending Wednesday morning. The department forecast that rain and thunderstorms will continue in many regions, including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. A low-pressure area may also form over the east-central Bay of Bengal within the next five days.

Meteorologist Tariful Newaz Kabir stated that light to moderate rain is expected to persist in Dhaka for the next three days, including on Eid morning, with moderate to heavy rainfall continuing in several divisions.

Ferry operations on the Paturia-Daulatdia river route in Manikganj resumed after being suspended for about an hour on Wednesday morning. Services were halted around 7:10 a.m. when heavy rain, strong winds, and a storm made navigation unsafe. Authorities temporarily stopped all ferry movements to ensure the safety of passengers and vehicles traveling home for Eid. The suspension caused temporary suffering for travelers and transport operators.

According to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC), ferry services restarted around 8:00 a.m. after weather conditions improved. BIWTC’s Aricha office confirmed that operations have returned to normal. Currently, 15 ferries of various sizes are operating on the route, and vehicles that were stranded at the terminals are gradually crossing the river.

The restoration of ferry movement has eased congestion at the terminals, allowing passengers and vehicles to continue their journeys safely and smoothly.

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan’s Punjab province and the capital Islamabad on Tuesday evening, killing one person and injuring eleven others. The tremor caused significant damage to several houses in Pind Dadan Khan tehsil of Jhelum district. According to Jhelum Deputy Commissioner Mir Reza Ozgen, a 13-year-old boy died when a house collapsed in the Jalalpur Sharif area.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that the earthquake occurred at 7:06 p.m. local time, with a depth of 12 kilometers. Its epicenter was located about 58 kilometers southwest of Jhelum. The department confirmed the magnitude and location in an official bulletin released after the event.

Authorities have not yet provided further details on rescue operations or the extent of property damage, but local reports indicate that several homes were severely affected in the impacted areas.

Bangladesh is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for an emergency financial assistance package to address economic disruptions caused by the United States and Israel’s attacks on Iran. According to AFP, the request follows rising global oil prices linked to the conflict. In March, Dhaka officials said the country was seeking about 2 billion US dollars from global lenders to manage risks stemming from the Iran war.

IMF representative Ivo Krznar stated that discussions are underway regarding Bangladesh’s reform agenda and policy priorities. The requested support would come through the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), a mechanism that provides quick, low-conditionality funding to member states facing crises such as wars, pandemics, or commodity price shocks. Bangladesh previously received 732 million dollars from the IMF during the COVID-19 pandemic, including 244 million under the RFI.

Bangladesh’s ongoing 5.5 billion dollar IMF loan program began in January 2023 and was expanded in June 2025. The country has so far received 3.64 billion dollars in five tranches, with the sixth installment of 1.3 billion still pending.

Jamaat-backed mayoral candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation, Mohammad Selim Uddin, announced the formation of a special team to ensure the quick removal of sacrificial animal waste during Eid. He made the announcement on Tuesday, May 26, while inaugurating a special service booth at the Tejgaon cattle market in the capital.

Selim Uddin urged city residents to dispose of animal waste only in designated areas, emphasizing that maintaining cleanliness is a shared civic responsibility, not just the duty of government authorities. He highlighted that cleanliness is an integral part of faith, alongside the religious practice of sacrifice, and called on everyone to play an active role in keeping the city clean during the festival.

During the event, special waste bags were distributed among visitors to raise awareness about proper waste disposal. Selim Uddin also mentioned that similar service booths have been set up at other cattle markets across Dhaka, including Aftabnagar and Gabtoli.

A mild earthquake was felt across several parts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka, on Tuesday at 11:41 a.m., originating near Bhaluka in Mymensingh. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported a magnitude of 3.4 on the Richter scale, describing it as a low-intensity tremor. The director of the Earthquake Observation and Research Center said such minor quakes occur frequently worldwide and are not a cause for concern.

However, leading seismologists disagreed, warning that frequent minor tremors may signal an impending major earthquake. A recent study by Jahangirnagar University researchers also indicated that Bangladesh faces a high risk of a severe quake. BUET professor Dr. Mehedi Ahmed Ansari cautioned that the country has not experienced a major quake in 100–150 years, urging the government to take immediate preventive measures, including structural assessments and retrofitting of buildings.

Experts noted that Bangladesh lies at the junction of three tectonic plates, with significant underground pressure accumulating. They warned that Dhaka’s dense, poorly planned infrastructure could turn the city into a disaster zone if a major quake strikes.

Garment workers from Chaiti Garments in Tipordi area of Sonargaon, Narayanganj, blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway on Tuesday afternoon demanding payment of due wages and Eid bonuses. The protest caused severe traffic congestion stretching about 17 kilometers from Tipordi to Meghna Toll Plaza. Police intervened to disperse the demonstrators, leading to clashes in which tear gas and rubber bullets were used to regain control of the situation.

According to police officials, the workers began the blockade after the factory management reportedly expressed inability to pay full salaries. The workers insisted that their April arrears and May salaries be cleared before Eid. Officers from Kanchpur Highway Police and Sonargaon Police Station confirmed that several rounds of tear gas were fired but no live ammunition was used. The situation was later brought under control and the road reopened to traffic.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the garment sector over timely wage payments, particularly ahead of major religious holidays when financial pressures on workers increase.

Garment workers from Chaiti Garments in Tipordi area of Sonargaon, Narayanganj, blocked the Dhaka-Chattogram highway on Tuesday afternoon demanding payment of wages and bonuses. The protest led to severe traffic congestion stretching about 17 kilometers from Tipordi to Meghna Toll Plaza. Police attempted to disperse the demonstrators, resulting in clashes where tear gas and rubber bullets were used to bring the situation under control.

According to reports, the workers began their protest after the factory management expressed inability to pay full wages, including arrears for April and salaries for May before Eid. Police officials stated that the workers were later persuaded to leave the highway, and the situation was brought under control after several rounds of tear gas were fired.

The incident disrupted traffic on one of the country’s busiest highways and highlighted ongoing tensions over wage payments in the garment sector ahead of major holidays.

On May 26, 2026, cattle markets across Dhaka saw brisk trading despite continuous rain and severe waterlogging ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. From morning showers to afternoon downpours, buyers and sellers continued flocking to major markets including Gabtoli, Shahjahanpur, Diabari, Aftabnagar, Meradia, and Rahmatganj. Many areas were submerged, with knee-deep mud and standing water making movement difficult, yet trading persisted late into the night.

The previous day’s 57 millimeters of rainfall had already caused major traffic disruptions and flooding in key city areas. Persistent rain over two days worsened conditions for both commuters and traders. Buyers reported higher cattle prices and discomfort due to muddy grounds, while sellers noted that feed costs had pushed prices up compared to last year. Authorities said measures were being taken to manage the situation, with the state minister for local government visiting Gabtoli market to ensure a safer environment.

Traders expect sales to peak on the eve of Eid, though concerns remain that continued rain or the arrival of Indian cattle could affect final prices and profits.

Adverse weather conditions caused major flight disruptions at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. From early morning, several international and domestic flights were cancelled, diverted, or delayed for hours, leaving passengers facing significant inconvenience. The airport’s public relations officer, Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, confirmed the disruptions in an official press release.

According to airport sources, Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-138 from Madinah was diverted to Dhaka instead of landing in Chattogram at 9:40 a.m. It later returned to Chattogram at 2:01 p.m. and departed again for Dhaka at 3:20 p.m. US-Bangla Airlines flight BS-342 from Dubai to Dhaka via Chattogram departed for Dhaka at 3:09 p.m. after a four-and-a-half-hour delay, while its BS-105 flight on the Dhaka–Chattogram–Dhaka route was cancelled. Flydubai’s FDB-564 flight from Chattogram to Dubai also departed nearly three hours late at 12:16 p.m.

Airport authorities stated that poor runway visibility and safety concerns prompted the schedule changes and cancellations, and they are monitoring the situation continuously.

Heavy rain has turned Dhaka’s cattle markets into muddy, waterlogged grounds, causing severe hardship for both buyers and sellers ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha sacrifice. On Tuesday, at the Diabari market in Uttara, traders and farmers were seen struggling as cattle stood in knee-deep water and mud. Many animals appeared exhausted or ill from prolonged exposure to rain, while traders expressed frustration over the lack of drainage and poor preparation by market authorities.

Traders from Kushtia, Jamalpur, Faridpur, and Natore voiced anger at the market’s mismanagement, saying the leaseholders failed to ensure proper water removal despite collecting high fees. Some reported financial losses due to sick cattle and reduced buyer turnout. Buyers, however, continued to visit the markets under umbrellas, noting that prices were lower than usual as sellers were forced to compromise. Despite the discomfort, some customers expressed satisfaction after securing cattle within their budgets.

Repeated attempts to contact the Diabari market leaseholder, SF Corporation owner Sheikh Farid Hossain, went unanswered, leaving questions about accountability for the poor conditions.

Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid stated that no major complaints of extortion, insecurity, or mismanagement have been received so far. He said the administration remains on high alert. To prevent counterfeit currency risks during Eid-ul-Azha, counterfeit detection systems have been installed at various cattle markets to ensure safe transactions for both buyers and sellers. The minister made these remarks on Tuesday after inspecting the Neura cattle market in Cumilla Sadar Dakshin upazila.

He highlighted that the Eid-ul-Azha season provides one of the largest income opportunities for marginal farmers and livestock breeders. Through rearing and selling sacrificial animals, millions of families benefit financially, and the sector is gradually evolving into an industry-based economic activity. The government is implementing various support and training programs to enhance farmers’ capacity and expand livestock production.

The minister added that coordinated monitoring is underway across markets involving the administration, law enforcement, and the livestock department. Veterinary teams are deployed to ensure animal health services, while cleanliness and safety measures are being maintained. Field-level supervision will continue until Eid to ensure smooth trading.

Bus fares on the Dhaka-Tangail highway have reportedly doubled at the Chandra Trimor area of Kaliakoir upazila in Gazipur, prompting many homebound passengers to travel in open trucks instead. Local sources said vehicles operate from the Chandra bus stand to 27 northern routes, but a fare hike allegedly driven by a local syndicate has forced passengers to seek cheaper alternatives.

A passenger bound for Birganj said his regular fare of Tk 700 had risen to Tk 1,600, leading him to choose truck transport. A supervisor from Badsha Paribahan claimed higher operational costs at the stand made fare increases unavoidable. However, Dewan Jasim Uddin, joint general secretary of the Gazipur District Road Transport Workers Union, denied the existence of any syndicate and said they were monitoring to prevent passengers from boarding trucks, though some still managed to do so.

Naojor Highway Police Station officer-in-charge Saugatul Alam stated that authorities were monitoring to ensure no one charged excessive fares and would take action if complaints were filed.

Iran has insisted that any potential agreement with the United States must include the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets, according to a report by the semi-official Tasnim news agency citing a source close to Iran’s negotiating team in Qatar. The source said Tehran’s position is that half of the amount, or $12 billion, should be released at the time of signing a memorandum of understanding, with the remaining funds to be returned within 60 days.

Tasnim reported that Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, traveled to Qatar to reach an agreement on a mechanism for implementing this demand. The report did not specify the broader context of the negotiations or the current status of talks between Tehran and Washington.

The demand underscores Iran’s focus on recovering frozen assets as part of any future deal, though details of the negotiations and potential U.S. responses remain unclear.

Cattle markets across Feni district have become increasingly busy ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, with strong demand for medium-sized cows. Buyers and sellers are active from morning to night, and despite adequate supplies of cows and goats, buyers claim prices are higher than last year. Sellers, however, report better profits so far and hope for good returns by the end of the season. Even after rain on Monday, trading continued at major markets including SIO Office, Madhuai, and Matubhunya.

A trader named Md. Monir brought nine cows from Rangpur, selling four at better prices than last year. Buyers such as Mohammad Saidul Haque complained about high prices but continued purchasing for the festival. Some locals expressed dissatisfaction over markets occupying roads and playgrounds. According to the District Livestock Department, demand for sacrificial animals in six upazilas stands at 82,525, while 90,452 animals have been prepared, exceeding demand by 7,927.

Authorities have deployed 37 veterinary teams and law enforcement for market supervision. Border patrols have been strengthened to prevent illegal cattle entry and smuggling of hides.