At least 55 people have died and several remain missing following severe floods in southern and central Vietnam, authorities confirmed on Saturday. Continuous heavy rainfall since late October has inundated coastal cities such as Nha Trang and triggered deadly landslides in the highlands near Da Lat. The Ministry of Environment reported that six provinces have been affected, with Dak Lak suffering the highest death toll. Rescue teams continue searching for missing persons, while floodwaters have rendered multiple highways impassable and left around 300,000 people without electricity. State media noted that over one million residents were initially impacted by power outages. According to Vietnam’s national statistics office, natural disasters have killed or left missing 279 people and caused over $2 billion in damage from January to October this year. Scientists warn that human-induced climate change is intensifying extreme weather events across Southeast Asia, making such floods more frequent and destructive.

Government employees in Bangladesh have called an urgent meeting to finalize their movement demanding the implementation of the ninth pay scale by December. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, at the Dhaka University Fourth Class Employees Association office. Representatives from around a dozen organizations, in addition to the 12 unions under the Bangladesh Government Employees Demand Realization Unity Council, are expected to attend. According to the council’s coordinator, Md. Mahmudul Hasan, the participating organizations will discuss and finalize a program of action to press for the pay scale’s implementation. The meeting aims to unify various employee groups under a single platform to strengthen their collective bargaining power. The decision on the next course of action, including possible demonstrations or negotiations, is expected to emerge from this gathering.

India’s Reliance Industries Limited, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has announced it has stopped importing Russian crude oil for its export-oriented refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The decision comes ahead of European Union sanctions on Russian oil set to take effect on January 21, 2026, and amid growing US pressure on India over its energy trade with Moscow. Reliance confirmed that from November 20, its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) refinery ceased using Russian crude, and from December 1, all exported products will be derived from non-Russian sources. The move aligns with upcoming trade restrictions and ongoing US sanctions on major Russian oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil, which supply much of India’s Russian oil. Washington recently imposed sanctions on both firms, accusing them of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The development coincides with discussions of a potential trade agreement between India and the United States, signaling a possible shift in India’s energy sourcing strategy.

A second earthquake was recorded in Gazipur’s Baipail area near Dhaka within 24 hours of a deadly tremor that struck the region. According to the Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation and Research Center, the quake occurred at 10:36 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, with a magnitude of 3.3 on the Richter scale. Officials described it as a minor earthquake with its epicenter located in Baipail. The previous day, a stronger 5.7-magnitude quake hit about 13 kilometers east of Dhaka, killing ten people, including two children, and injuring hundreds across several districts. Four deaths occurred in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi, and one in Narayanganj. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as residents remain anxious following the back-to-back tremors.

China is constructing the world’s first artificial floating island capable of withstanding nuclear explosions and extreme natural disasters. The 78,000-ton structure, named the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility, is expected to be operational by 2028. Designed as a mobile, semi-submersible twin-hull platform, it can endure waves up to nine meters high and typhoons of category 17 intensity. The island will accommodate 238 people for up to four months without external supplies. Built using metamaterial sandwich panels that absorb shock waves, the facility will feature emergency power, communication, and navigation systems crucial for nuclear protection. Although described as a civilian scientific infrastructure, its design follows military-grade standards (GJB 1060.1-1991) for nuclear blast resistance. The island will measure 138 meters in length, 85 meters in width, and rise 45 meters above sea level, serving as a long-term deep-sea research base.

Bangladesh has been classified into three earthquake risk zones, with Zone-1 marking the highest risk areas, mainly in the northern and southeastern regions. Districts in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, parts of Tangail, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati fall under this category. The lowest-risk Zone-3 includes Khulna, Jessore, Barishal, and Patuakhali. Historical data shows at least five major tremors between 1976 and 2015, mostly originating from Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar. Experts warn that Dhaka, with around 2.1 million buildings, faces severe danger due to poor compliance with building codes. Fault lines such as the Dawki and Madhupur faults, along with several plate boundaries, make the region highly vulnerable. Specialists emphasize strengthening earthquake preparedness, enforcing construction standards, and investing in early warning systems to mitigate potential disasters.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, shaking Dhaka and surrounding districts for several seconds. The epicenter was located in Madhabdi upazila of Narsingdi district, near the capital. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake resulted from reverse faulting deep within the Indian tectonic plate. Experts from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Bangladeshi researchers explained that Bangladesh lies at the junction of three major tectonic plates — Indian, Eurasian, and Burmese — making it highly earthquake-prone. BUET professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansari noted that at least five fault lines exist in the country, with the Noakhali–Sylhet line likely responsible for this event. The quake caused structural damage to several buildings and led to at least 10 deaths and over 550 injuries nationwide. As of Friday night, more than 450 injured people were treated in government hospitals, with 167 admitted and 16 in critical condition referred elsewhere.

Following reports of several buildings tilting and cracking during a recent earthquake in Dhaka, the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has begun on-site inspections to assess structural safety. Acting on the directive of RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam, officials from the development control wing visited multiple affected sites, including the Alatunnessa School and College building in Badda, which had already been declared risky and was sealed immediately after further damage. In Gulshan, cracks were found in a 10-storey building’s column, prompting the removal of water from its rooftop swimming pool. RAJUK teams also inspected buildings in Tikatuli, Wari Mugda WASA Road, Kafrul, Agargaon, and the Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital area. The authority instructed that detailed engineering assessments (DEA) be completed and reports submitted within 15 days. On Monday morning, the RAJUK chairman and officials are scheduled to visit several damaged sites for further evaluation.

The Dhaka District Administration has announced emergency financial assistance of up to Tk 15,000 for individuals injured during the recent earthquake in Dhaka. The aid will cover those who were hurt either due to panic or accidents triggered by the tremor. According to District Commissioner Md Rezaul Karim, recipients must have a medical recommendation to qualify. Injured persons or their attendants can contact the district control room at +8801700716678 to apply for assistance. The administration urged hospitals and families to spread the message to ensure timely support. The earthquake, which struck at 10:38 a.m. on Friday with a magnitude of 5.7 centered in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area, caused widespread panic. As of Friday night, the Directorate General of Health Services reported 10 deaths and 606 injuries nationwide, with 167 hospitalized and 16 in critical condition. Officials believe the total number of injured could exceed 1,000, considering unreported cases from private hospitals.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake centered near Narsingdi’s Ghorashal jolted Bangladesh at 10:38 a.m. on Friday, triggering widespread panic across Dhaka and other regions. Although the tremor lasted only a few seconds, many people were injured while rushing out of buildings in fear. The National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Pangu Hospital) saw a surge of patients throughout the day, treating over 100 people with fractures and joint dislocations, with at least 18 requiring admission. Additional doctors, nurses, and ward masters were deployed to manage the influx. Dhaka Medical College Hospital also treated at least 18 injured individuals, including children and students. Health authorities activated emergency medical teams and urged citizens to remain calm and follow safety protocols during earthquakes. Most injuries resulted from falls, stampedes, or collapsing furniture as people hurried to evacuate buildings.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Dhaka and several parts of Bangladesh on Friday morning, causing intense shaking that lasted about 15 seconds. The tremor led to visible structural damage, with reports of cracked walls, tilted buildings, and partial collapses of older structures. Hospitals saw a surge in patients as injuries and fatalities were reported. The quake sparked widespread panic, with many residents rushing outdoors and sharing their terrifying experiences on Facebook and other social media platforms. Posts described buildings swaying violently, people praying for safety, and families fearing for their lives. Although no significant aftershocks followed, anxiety remains high among residents worried about further tremors. The incident has left a deep psychological impact on Dhaka’s population, with many still struggling to regain a sense of normalcy after the frightening event.

A Tk 93 crore modern chemical warehouse complex built on six acres in Tongi’s Kathaldia area of Gazipur remains largely unused as chemical traders show little interest in renting the facilities. The project, initiated after the 2019 Chawkbazar fire to relocate hazardous chemical storage from Dhaka’s residential areas, was completed in December 2023 under the Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC). Despite modern safety features, including fire suppression systems and office spaces, only two traders have applied for rental since advertisements were published in October. Business owners cite high rent rates—Tk 26 per square foot—and the site’s distance from the main industrial zone as major deterrents. Officials argue that the higher cost reflects advanced safety measures and reduced fire risk. The government hopes the project will eventually help move chemical storage out of densely populated areas to prevent future disasters.

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, with its epicenter located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi. The tremor caused structural damage to at least 14 buildings across various areas of Dhaka, including Malibagh, Armanitola, Banani, Kalabagan, Bashundhara, and near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. According to a statement signed by Dhaka’s Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md. Salah Uddin Al Wadud, several other buildings in Rampura, Kalabagan, and Uttara developed cracks or tilted due to the quake. The National Meteorological Department classified it as a moderate earthquake. Although initial reports suggested damage at the Chief Adviser’s Office, a Fire Service inspection later confirmed no significant harm. Authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage and monitoring the structural safety of affected buildings to prevent further risks.

A brief earthquake struck Gazipur, Bangladesh, on Friday morning, triggering widespread panic among residents and garment workers. The tremor, lasting only a few seconds, caused people to rush out of buildings, leading to injuries for more than 600 workers, mostly from garment factories in Chandna Chowrasta, Tongi, and Sreepur. In Tongi, a six-story building tilted dangerously, and several others developed cracks. At least 56 injured individuals were admitted to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital, while dozens more received treatment at local clinics. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as furniture shook and items fell from shelves. Authorities reported no major structural collapses but confirmed minor damage and injuries caused by stampedes. The Fire Service stated that no significant casualties or large-scale destruction had been reported so far. The incident highlights the vulnerability of densely populated industrial areas during seismic events, particularly where safety protocols are limited.

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, causing widespread panic and damage across Dhaka and several nearby districts. According to the Directorate General of Health Services, at least 10 people have been confirmed dead and more than 600 injured, with the number of casualties expected to rise as data from private hospitals are still being collected. The quake’s epicenter was located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi. Fatalities were reported in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Narsingdi, where incidents of collapsing walls, falling railings, and panic-induced health emergencies occurred. In Old Dhaka, three pedestrians were killed by a falling railing, while other deaths were reported from construction sites and residential collapses. Authorities have provided emergency support to affected families, and hospitals remain on high alert to treat the injured.