Heavy rainfall began early Wednesday in Dhaka, disrupting daily life across the capital. The downpour, which started before 6:30 a.m., caused traffic slowdowns and waterlogging in several areas. Commuters, students, and day laborers faced difficulties reaching their destinations, with many taking shelter in nearby shops and buildings. Although the rain brought some relief from heat, it also created significant inconvenience for city residents.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, gusty winds and thunderstorms are likely in at least 17 regions, including Dhaka, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Chattogram. Winds from the west or northwest may reach speeds of 45 to 60 kilometers per hour. River ports in these areas have been advised to hoist cautionary signal number one to ensure safe navigation.

The weather office further indicated that conditions may not improve before noon, with thunderstorms and gusty winds expected to persist until at least 1 p.m., particularly in northern, central, and coastal regions.

A sudden hour-long downpour on Tuesday morning caused severe waterlogging across Comilla city, flooding roads, school grounds, and classrooms. At the historic Ishwar Pathsala School exam center, located opposite the Comilla Education Board, SSC examinees were forced to sit for their tests in knee-deep dirty water. Many students’ clothes became wet, and they expressed fear that their answer sheets might get soaked. Teachers also had to stand in water while supervising the exam, as no postponement order was issued.

Parents waiting outside the center voiced anger over the recurring problem, saying the school floods every year after minor rainfall due to poor drainage. The head teacher said the situation was caused by natural factors and that necessary measures were being taken in consultation with the center secretary. Comilla City Corporation’s administrator stated that workers were deployed to clear drains and remove debris to restore water flow. The local weather office recorded 102 millimeters of rainfall and warned of more rain ahead.

Despite the flooding, the district education officer confirmed that the examination was completed on schedule without disruption.

Feni recorded 126 millimeters of rainfall between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, marking the heaviest hourly rainfall of the year. Over the past 24 hours, the district experienced a total of 150 millimeters of rain, leading to widespread waterlogging and public suffering across the city.

Field reports showed that continuous rainfall submerged low-lying roads in several neighborhoods, including Doctorpara, Shahid Shahidullah Kaiser Road, Old Registry Office, Shaheen Academy area, Pathanbari, Nazir Road, Mizan Road, Sadar Hospital intersection, and Petrobangla. Feni Municipality’s executive engineer Zakir Uddin said that slow drainage through canals and drains caused the flooding, and twelve municipal teams were deployed to address the situation.

According to the acting officer of the Feni Meteorological Office, Md. Mojibur Rahman, this was the highest rainfall of the current season, and thunderstorms with rain are likely to continue across the district for the next two to three days.

Fuel loading has begun at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, officially positioning Bangladesh as the 33rd country to use nuclear energy. The plant, located in Pabna and built with Russian technical assistance, is the country’s most expensive infrastructure project. Construction began in 2017 during the previous Awami League government, following the issuance of a siting license in 2016 by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority. The total project cost is about 12.65 billion US dollars, with Russia financing 90 percent of the amount.

According to Professor Md. Shafiqul Islam of Dhaka University’s Nuclear Engineering Department, electricity generation will start during the pilot operation phase, though full commercial production may take another six months to a year. The Grid Company of Bangladesh’s Managing Director, Abdur Rashid Khan, confirmed that grid capacity and transmission line work for the first unit were completed by May 2025, ensuring readiness to handle 1,100 megawatts of power.

The completion of fuel loading and grid preparation brings Bangladesh closer to producing nuclear-generated electricity for the first time.

Two people were killed in separate lightning strikes in Noakhali district on Monday afternoon. The incidents occurred in Kabirhat and Hatiya upazilas. In Kabirhat’s Dhanshalik Union, a nine-year-old boy named Md Ayman died after being struck by lightning while playing in the yard. Locals took him to the upazila health complex, where doctors declared him dead.

In another incident in Hatiya’s Char Ishwar Union, 22-year-old Arafat Hossain died after being struck by lightning while returning home from collecting peanuts in a field. According to family members, he was struck in front of his mother and died on the spot. Hatiya Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Kabir Hossain confirmed one death in the lightning strike.

The deaths occurred amid stormy weather in the region, highlighting the recurring danger of lightning during the pre-monsoon season in coastal areas like Noakhali.

European governments are expressing deep concern over potential fuel shortages as the ongoing war involving Iran disrupts global oil supplies. Several European countries fear severe energy deficits in the coming months. Sweden’s Minister for Economic Affairs voiced particular worry about the nation’s jet fuel reserves, describing them as a major cause for concern.

The Swedish government had earlier stated that the Middle East conflict was shifting from having a limited to a significant impact on its economy. Authorities have prepared contingency plans, including possible fuel rationing, to manage the situation. Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies are set to hold a key meeting in Vienna, Austria, tomorrow.

The meeting is expected to be the last attended by the United Arab Emirates, which has announced its withdrawal from the alliance effective May 1. The crisis has been worsened by a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, driving up global oil prices and intensifying pressure on major markets such as Europe and India.

The ongoing Middle East tensions are placing immense pressure on the global economy, with analysts estimating that the crisis could add nearly $1 trillion in extra costs. While the world faces rising economic burdens, major oil and gas companies are reporting soaring profits. The situation has intensified concerns that U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran are worsening global inequality, poverty, and hunger in a world still heavily dependent on fossil fuels.

According to climate group 350.org, based on International Monetary Fund data, even if the Strait of Hormuz returns to normal, high oil and gas prices could generate $600 billion in additional expenses. Continued supply disruptions could push losses beyond $1 trillion. Experts warn that this estimate likely understates the full impact, excluding long-term inflation, food and fertilizer price hikes, slower economic activity, and rising unemployment.

350.org has called for an emergency windfall tax on excess corporate profits to fund social protection and renewable energy investments. The demand was echoed at an international conference in Santa Marta, where over 50 countries discussed reducing fossil fuel dependence amid protests and warnings from developing nations about severe economic strain.

Heavy rainfall in Kutubdia upazila of Cox’s Bazar submerged around 4,000 acres of salt fields on Tuesday afternoon, causing an estimated loss of about 10 crore taka to local farmers. The downpour lasted for about an hour and flooded salt-producing areas across six unions, according to a survey by the local BSCIC office.

Local farmer and former union member Nur Mohammad said the heavy rain destroyed their salt fields, leaving them unable to recover production costs. He added that with the current market price of 170 taka per maund, farmers would still face losses if prices do not rise. Salt trader Abdu Rahim noted that many farmers had taken advance payments from traders, and with the fields now flooded, they may struggle to repay those advances.

The sudden flooding has created uncertainty about the continuation of salt cultivation in the affected areas, raising concerns about the financial stability of local producers and traders.

Bangladesh Bank has eased the rules governing incentive bonuses for bank employees, according to a circular issued on Tuesday. Under the new guidelines, banks may now offer incentive bonuses if they achieve operating profits, do not increase capital shortfalls compared to the previous year, and refrain from taking new deferred facilities from the central bank’s security deposits. The decision aims to encourage employee motivation and maintain competitiveness in the banking sector.

Previously, banks were prohibited from granting bonuses if they failed to post net profits, had capital or security deposit shortfalls, or received deferred facilities from the central bank. The new circular allows banks to provide up to one month’s basic salary as a special bonus for significant achievements, even if earlier conditions are not fully met, provided the new three criteria are satisfied.

A central bank official said the relaxation is intended to help retain skilled officers, as weaker banks often lose staff to stronger institutions. The move is expected to enhance employee engagement and sustain a competitive environment across the sector.

A new book titled “From Cash to Code” was officially launched at a hotel in Dhaka, marking a significant event for Bangladesh’s digital finance and fintech sectors. The book, authored by Md. Mahmudul Hasan, Digital Banking and Fintech Strategist at Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC, explores how a large portion of Bangladesh’s digital economy remains outside the formal financial system, posing challenges to achieving full financial inclusion.

The launch event was attended by Al-Arafah Islami Bank Chairman Khaja Shahriar as chief guest and Managing Director Md. Rafat Ullah Khan as special guest, along with senior executives and professionals from banking, fintech, and digital finance industries. Hasan emphasized that true financial inclusion requires integrating people’s daily economic activities into formal digital systems, suggesting that Bangladesh’s next major transformation will occur when informal economic activities become part of the mainstream.

The book introduces a new framework for discussing digital finance in Bangladesh and is expected to serve as a key reference for policymakers, the banking sector, and the fintech industry.

French oceanography expert Ms. Tania Astrid Capuano paid a courtesy visit to Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A. B. M. Obaidul Islam on Tuesday at the vice-chancellor’s office. Both sides emphasized strengthening mutual cooperation in education and research, particularly in oceanography and natural resource management. The meeting was also attended by Dr. K. M. Azam Chowdhury, Director of the Dhaka University International Center for Ocean Governance.

During the discussion, participants explored expanding ongoing joint academic and research programs between Dhaka University and various European universities. They agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding soon between Dhaka University and France’s Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS). According to the source, this initiative is expected to accelerate international research and academic exchange activities.

Ms. Capuano has been serving as a visiting fellow at the International Center for Ocean Governance for the past two years, contributing to building connections and implementing joint research projects with European institutions. The vice-chancellor thanked her for her contributions and expressed hope for continued collaboration.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected in its latest World Economic Outlook report that Bangladesh’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) could exceed India’s in 2026. According to the report, Bangladesh’s per capita GDP is expected to reach 2,911 US dollars, compared to India’s 2,812 dollars. The IMF attributes this potential shift to Bangladesh’s sustained economic growth, steady export earnings, and slower population growth. However, the report also notes that India may regain the lead in 2027.

Economists have cautioned against overinterpreting the forecast, emphasizing that a temporary lead in per capita GDP does not necessarily reflect stronger overall economic performance. Former World Bank economist Zahid Hossain explained that exchange rate fluctuations can significantly affect GDP comparisons in dollar terms. Selim Raihan, executive director of SANEM, added that Bangladesh’s economy remains under pressure from inflation, investment stagnation, and global instability, including the Middle East conflict.

The IMF publishes the World Economic Outlook twice a year, offering short- and medium-term forecasts of global economic trends. Economists noted that such projections are subject to change due to external factors and methodological limitations.

Thakurani Canal, once a vital waterway flowing through wards 3, 4, and 5 of Mongla Port Municipality in Bagerhat, is now facing an existential crisis due to encroachment, landfilling, and pollution. The canal, officially 2.10 kilometers long and 30 to 40 feet wide, has been severely narrowed, with parts buried under multi-story buildings, shops, and permanent structures. Although government records list 31 encroachers, locals claim the actual number is higher, alleging that influential individuals have built illegal structures beyond the official list.

Mongla Citizens’ Society president Nur Alam Sheikh described the canal as the lifeline of Mongla town and warned that the city’s survival is at risk if the canal is not freed from illegal occupation. Upazila Executive Officer Sharmin Akter Sumi stated that verification of documents and boundary demarcation has begun, and visible action against illegal occupiers will follow soon. State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward encroachment on canals, rivers, and water bodies.

Authorities indicated that enforcement measures are imminent to restore the canal’s natural flow and protect Mongla’s urban environment.

A delegation from Chevron Corporation paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday afternoon at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat. The meeting took place on April 28, 2026, and was attended by senior officials from both the government and Chevron.

The Chevron team included Xavier La Rossa, President of the company’s Base Assets and Emerging Countries (BAEC) division, and Eric M. Walker, President of Chevron Bangladesh. On the government side, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, the Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Affairs Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit were present.

The source did not provide details about the topics discussed or any outcomes from the meeting.

A severe shortage of safe drinking water has hit Ramganj upazila in Lakshmipur, with most deep tube wells failing to pump water due to a prolonged drought and a sharp drop in groundwater levels. Residents and business owners are struggling to meet daily needs, as even previously reliable wells have become nearly inoperative. Many are resorting to installing shallow tube wells or fetching water from distant areas.

Local residents report that the municipal water supply is insufficient to meet demand. Shop owners and households are forced to carry water long distances, while some rely on bottled or pond water, raising health concerns. Schools are also affected, with teachers and students facing acute shortages. The municipal engineer said groundwater levels fell significantly after a December 2023 earthquake, reducing water output and increasing costs.

Authorities are working to address the crisis. A new water plant is under construction in Kazirkhil, expected to ease shortages once operational. Officials from the Department of Public Health Engineering and the upazila administration have pledged urgent action and long-term planning to ensure sustainable water supply.