Continuous rainfall over recent days has submerged ripe Boro paddy fields in several areas of Natore’s Singra upazila and Tangail’s Madhupur upazila. Farmers are struggling to harvest waterlogged crops, with seedlings sprouting on wet paddy due to lack of sunlight. In Singra, early flooding and rising water from the Atrai River have threatened hundreds of farmers’ crops across the Chalan Beel region. Only about 15 percent of the 36,610 hectares of cultivated land has been harvested so far.

Local residents and farmers in Singra are working together to protect their fields, filling sandbags to block floodwater despite limited resources. Women are also participating in the effort. The local agriculture office and the area’s Member of Parliament have visited affected zones and pledged immediate assistance. In Madhupur, around 500 bighas of paddy in the Haoda Beel area have gone underwater, putting debt-ridden farmers and sharecroppers in distress.

Officials warned that if water does not recede quickly, many farmers could face total crop loss, turning a promising harvest season into a financial disaster.

Eighteen rice mills in Chandpur are on the verge of closure due to the growing dominance of corporate businesses, frequent power outages, and a shortage of paddy. According to local mill owners, three mills—Mokka Auto Rice, Topadar Auto Rice, and Baba Auto Rice—have already shut down, while fifteen others are operating intermittently. The Chandpur District Rice Mill Owners’ Association reported that corporate firms have captured the rice market through financial strength and advanced technology.

Association president Abdur Rahim Sarkar said that major companies such as City, Meghna, Bashundhara, Fuad, Pran, and Mojumdar now control both domestic and international rice sourcing and packaging, offering a wide range of consumer-friendly pack sizes. Local mills, limited to 25–50 kg sacks, cannot compete with these marketing strategies. Mill owners also cited insufficient local paddy supply, frequent power cuts, and dependence on crushers as key obstacles.

Owners warned that without government financial incentives and measures to curb corporate dominance, the remaining mills may soon close, leaving around two thousand workers unemployed.

In Banshkhali, Chattogram, more than 300,000 coastal residents remain vulnerable to cyclones and tidal surges as no permanent or sustainable embankment has been built in the past 35 years. The 37-kilometer embankment, destroyed by the 1991 cyclone, has yet to be properly reconstructed. Although the government recently allocated Tk 4.53 billion for rebuilding, locals have alleged irregularities and poor-quality work, leaving large sections cracked and ineffective during monsoon season.

Residents from areas including Khan Khanabad, Kadam Rasul, Chhanua, Boroghona, Gondamara, and Premashia report that seawater regularly floods their homes and farmlands, causing severe crop losses and forcing thousands into waterlogged conditions. Local leaders and residents have urged immediate action for a permanent embankment, citing long-standing political promises that remain unfulfilled. Agricultural officials warn that rising sea levels and salinity are damaging farmland, freshwater sources, and fisheries.

Banshkhali’s Member of Parliament Maulana Zahirul Islam has visited the site and warned contractors against corruption, insisting that reconstruction must follow the approved schedule.

Heavy rainfall and nor'wester storms have caused extensive damage across several districts in Bangladesh, submerging boro paddy fields, uprooting trees, and disrupting power and road connections. The incidents occurred over the weekend, leaving thousands without electricity and isolating several areas due to fallen trees and damaged infrastructure.

In Bhola and Pirojpur, storms uprooted trees and damaged power lines, cutting electricity in multiple unions. In Natore’s Singra upazila, early floods and continuous rain have threatened ripe boro crops, with only a small portion harvested so far. Habiganj’s Lakhai upazila saw hundreds of hectares of farmland submerged, while in Sylhet’s Beanibazar, most boro fields were inundated. In Chattogram’s Mirsarai, around 20,000 customers lost power after trees and poles collapsed. In Sunamganj and Tangail, breached embankments and heavy rain submerged large areas of farmland.

Local officials reported ongoing efforts to restore power and assess agricultural losses. Farmers in several regions are struggling to save their crops, with authorities promising immediate measures to mitigate further damage.

Speakers at a national convention in Dhaka on May 3 emphasized that Bangladesh’s energy crisis cannot be solved without first addressing corruption and policy failures. The session, held at the Diploma Engineers Institute and organized by the National Citizen Party’s Reform Implementation Committee, focused on energy security and future strategies. Participants called for reducing dependence on oil imports by expanding solar power and implementing structural reforms in the energy sector.

Economist Dr. Khan Zahirul Islam argued that corruption and flawed policies, not resource shortages, drive the crisis, citing misuse of installed capacity and large-scale financial irregularities. Other speakers, including Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad and energy analyst Shafiqul Alam, highlighted sovereignty concerns, rising import dependence, and the need for solar and waste-to-energy initiatives. They also criticized inefficiencies in power generation and subsidies.

Speakers urged the government to waive import duties on solar equipment, review costly power contracts, and prioritize rooftop solar projects to cut costs and reduce load-shedding. They warned that without swift reforms, Bangladesh’s energy dependence and fiscal burden will continue to grow.

In Banshkhali upazila of Chattogram, fertilizer and seed were distributed among 2,500 farmers affected by a recent storm. The distribution took place on Sunday afternoon under the initiative of the Banshkhali Agriculture Office. Member of Parliament Maulana Zahirul Islam attended the event and personally handed over the supplies to the farmers.

The event was presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jamshedul Alam, with former Upazila BNP convener Lokman Ahmad as special guest. Upazila Agriculture Officer Shyamal Chandra Sarkar delivered the welcome speech. Each farmer received 10 kilograms of DAP fertilizer, 10 kilograms of MOP fertilizer, and 5 kilograms of seed free of cost to support Aus crop production.

The initiative aimed to assist local farmers in recovering from storm damage and to promote increased Aus cultivation in the region.

Bangladesh’s export sector rebounded in April 2026 after eight consecutive months of decline, according to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Sunday. Export earnings rose by 32.92 percent year-on-year to 4.01 billion dollars, up from 3.02 billion dollars in April of the previous year. Compared to March’s 3.48 billion dollars, April’s earnings increased by 15.20 percent. The growth was driven mainly by the ready-made garment industry, rising demand in key markets, and an increase in new orders.

Despite the April surge, total export earnings for the first ten months of the 2025–26 fiscal year stood at 39.40 billion dollars, still 2.02 percent lower than the same period last year. The apparel sector remained the main contributor, earning 31.72 billion dollars during July–April. The United States and the United Kingdom showed the strongest growth, with exports rising 43.01 percent and 23.46 percent respectively. Leather and leather goods exports rose 5.95 percent year-on-year, while agricultural processed products saw a 65 percent jump in April.

Knitwear manufacturers’ association president Mohammad Hatem said the April rise mainly reflected shipments delayed from March due to Eid holidays. He cautioned that export performance might fluctuate again in the coming months.

Bangladesh Bank has reported that the country's total foreign exchange reserves have increased to 35,204.76 million, or 35.20 billion, US dollars as of May 3, 2026. The information was confirmed by Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of the central bank. According to the latest data, the gross reserve stood at 35,204.76 million dollars, while under the IMF’s BPM6 calculation method, the reserve amounted to 30,512.29 million dollars.

The previous record on April 23 showed the gross reserve at 35,117.50 million dollars and the BPM6-based reserve at 30,484.01 million dollars. The central bank clarified that net reserves are calculated following the IMF’s BPM6 methodology, which deducts short-term liabilities from total reserves to determine the actual amount.

The increase marks a continuation of reserve growth following earlier declines, reflecting a modest improvement in the country's external financial position according to the central bank’s latest figures.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that May will experience normal rainfall, following April’s 75 percent above-average precipitation. The long-term outlook indicates that rainfall may decrease during June and July due to less active monsoon winds. The department also expects intermittent rain until May 10, with temperatures remaining normal before gradually rising. A heatwave is likely to begin around May 15 and last six to seven days.

Meteorologist Kazi Zebun Nesa explained that early western low pressure and the upward movement of southern winds caused heavy cloud formation over the Sylhet and Chattogram hill regions, leading to higher-than-usual rainfall before the monsoon. The forecast also mentions one to two low-pressure systems in May, with a low chance of cyclone formation, and five to six nor’westers, including two to three severe ones.

April recorded the highest rainfall in Barishal division, 169 percent above normal, while Dhaka saw about 80 percent more rain. The department noted that this year’s heatwaves were shorter and less intense than in 2023 and 2024.

The United States is experiencing a sharp rise in fuel prices as the ongoing war with Iran disrupts global oil supplies. According to data released on Saturday, the average price of gasoline in the country has climbed to $4.45 per gallon, marking an increase of 34 cents in just one week. Since the conflict began on February 28, gasoline prices have risen by $1.47 per gallon. California has recorded the highest average price at $6.10 per gallon.

Diesel prices have also surged significantly, reaching a national average of $5.64 per gallon, up from $3.76 on the day the war began. The steep increase has raised concerns across the transportation sector, which heavily depends on diesel fuel.

Analysts warn that if tensions in the Middle East persist, the energy market could face further instability, leading to higher transportation costs, increased commodity prices, and greater pressure on consumers’ living expenses.

Environmental and haor-based organizations have warned that the recent crop losses in Bangladesh’s haor region pose a grave threat to national food security. At a press conference held on Sunday at the National Press Club, they stated that around 75,000 hectares of Boro paddy fields were submerged after crop protection embankments collapsed, while hailstorms damaged another 800 hectares. The groups jointly organized the event under the banners of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), the Environment and Haor Development Organization, and Nagorik Udyog.

Speakers including BAPA President Professor Nur Mohammad Talukdar and Environment and Haor Development Organization President Kashmir Reza said farmers in the haor areas are facing severe humanitarian distress. Continuous rainfall from mid-March to late April has prevented harvested paddy from drying, causing rot and loss. ALRD Executive Director Shamsul Huda warned that the crisis will affect farmers’ livelihoods, debt repayment, education, and health, while livestock feed shortages are forcing distress sales.

The organizations presented a 15-point demand, including year-round food and cash aid for affected families, strict action against corruption in embankment projects, scientific research and long-term planning, and direct government purchase of at least one million tons of paddy from haor farmers.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid announced that Bangladesh has sufficient livestock for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, eliminating the need for imports. Speaking at a press conference at the ministry in Dhaka on Sunday, he said more than 12.4 million cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep are ready across the country. The minister assured that animal prices will remain at a reasonable level.

He stated that, as in previous years, no cattle imports will be allowed, and leases for border markets have been suspended in advance. Across the country, over 3,600 cattle markets will operate, including 27 in Dhaka—16 under the North City Corporation and 11 under the South. Markets will be set up only in designated areas to avoid traffic disruption. No import permits will be issued for fattening injections, and online cattle sales will remain free of fees.

Veterinary teams will be deployed at every market under the Department of Livestock Services, and law enforcement agencies have been instructed to prevent extortion during cattle transport by road and river.

Residents of Jamalpur city staged a blockade of both rail and road routes on Sunday afternoon at the Shekher Vita rail crossing to protest prolonged waterlogging in their area. The demonstration temporarily disrupted public movement, halting a commuter train from Dewanganj to Dhaka for about 40 minutes and suspending all traffic on the Jamalpur-Madariganj road, causing long traffic jams on both sides.

Police from Jamalpur Sadar Station, led by Officer-in-Charge Mizanur Rahman, arrived at the scene and worked with municipal authorities to restore order. The protesters lifted the blockade after receiving assurances that the waterlogging problem would be addressed quickly. Local residents said they had been trapped in water for 10 to 12 days, facing severe difficulties in cooking, moving, and sending children to school.

Jamalpur Municipality Executive Officer Zahurul Haque stated that the municipal authority began drainage work immediately after learning about the blockade to relieve the affected areas.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced on Sunday that the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will remain unchanged for May. According to the commission, the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder will stay at 1,940 taka. The decision took effect from 6 p.m. on the same day. BERC stated this in an official notice issued on May 3, 2026.

The commission had adjusted LPG prices twice in April. On April 2, the price of a 12-kilogram cylinder was increased by 387 taka to 1,728 taka, and again on April 19, it was raised by 212 taka to reach the current 1,940 taka. Meanwhile, BERC slightly increased the price of autogas by 0.02 taka per liter, setting it at 89.52 taka per liter including VAT for May.

Autogas prices were also revised twice in April, first on April 2 and then on April 19, when the rate rose to 89.50 taka per liter. The latest adjustment marks a minimal increase for May, reflecting a stabilization in LPG pricing after consecutive hikes last month.

Speakers at a national convention in Dhaka on May 3, 2026, called for renewed strategies to address Bangladesh’s growing educated unemployment. The session, held at the Diploma Engineers Institute and organized by the National Citizen Party’s Reform Implementation Committee, focused on economic restructuring, governance, and employment. Participants emphasized automating revenue collection, curbing corruption in large projects, and diversifying energy sources to revive economic momentum.

Speakers including Dr. M. Masrur Riaz of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, BDJobs CEO Fahim Mashroor, and former DCCI president Shams Mahmud discussed structural weaknesses in the economy. They highlighted issues such as weak financial governance, high youth unemployment among university graduates, and the lack of investment due to energy shortages and high interest rates. Calls were made for entrepreneurship development and overseas employment opportunities for graduates.

Panelists also criticized long-standing corruption, poor banking discipline, and overreliance on foreign loans. They urged reforms in tax automation, banking governance, and energy diversification to restore economic stability and create sustainable employment opportunities.