Continuous heavy rainfall on Sunday, July 12, 2026, caused extensive waterlogging across Dhaka University, disrupting academic and residential activities. Power supply was cut off at Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall for safety reasons, leaving thousands of female students without electricity. Several academic departments canceled classes, and one department postponed an examination due to the flooding.

Campus areas including the administrative building, Curzon Hall, VC Chattar, and multiple dormitories were submerged, with knee- to waist-deep water reported in some places. Students described severe hardship, citing food shortages, closed shops, and difficulties leaving the halls. A large Krishnachura tree also fell near the Mall Chattar, though no injuries occurred.

University authorities acknowledged the recurring flooding problem. The Pro-Vice Chancellor stated that a permanent drainage solution is being planned, while the Vice Chancellor confirmed that inspection visits and necessary measures will follow soon. The administration also assured that safe drinking water and food supplies are being monitored for affected students.

Prolonged heavy rainfall over the past week has caused severe waterlogging across large areas of Kaliakair upazila in Gazipur. Nine unions and one municipality have been inundated, leaving more than one lakh residents trapped in floodwaters. Homes, schools, businesses, and roads have been submerged, severely disrupting daily life. Several neighborhoods, including Harinhati, Jorapamp, Bishwaspara, and Purba Chandura, are among the worst affected.

Residents report that most markets and shops remain closed, making it difficult to access food, clean water, and medicine. Many are relying on boats or makeshift rafts for movement, while health risks are rising due to stagnant water. Local leaders and volunteers have been working to drain water and distribute relief supplies. The upazila administration stated that excessive rainfall has exceeded canal capacity, hindering drainage, but efforts are underway to clear drains and remove blockages.

Locals have urged long-term solutions such as re-excavating canals, removing illegal encroachments, and improving the drainage system to prevent recurring waterlogging during future monsoon seasons.

Bangladeshi singer Sabbir Zaman, known for his popularity on stage, has recently been honored as Best Singer at the 19th Channel i Music Awards for his song 'Amra Dujon Pakhir Kujon'. The song was written by lyricist Lutfur Hasan and composed by music director Shan Sayek. Despite having a limited number of original songs, Sabbir has earned widespread admiration through his performances both at home and abroad.

In an interview, Sabbir shared that music has been his passion since childhood, describing it as the center of his thoughts and life. He expressed gratitude to his collaborators Lutfur Hasan and Shan Sayek, as well as to Dhruba Music Station and Dhruba Guha for supporting the song. His humility and amiable nature have also been praised by fans and fellow artists.

On July 8, Sabbir celebrated his birthday with close friends and received numerous social media tributes from colleagues and admirers, reflecting his strong connection with the music community.

Residents of Mohanganj upazila in Netrokona are facing severe hardship due to frequent power cuts and voltage fluctuations amid intense heat. The shortage of electricity, inadequate supply, and faulty transmission systems have left households without power for long hours both day and night. Students, business owners, hospital patients, children, the elderly, and day laborers are among those suffering the most.

According to the Mohanganj Palli Bidyut office, around 53,000 customers in the zone require about 16 megawatts of electricity daily, but the national grid is supplying less than half of that. In recent days, supply has dropped to only 4–5 megawatts, forcing the office to keep several feeders shut down alternately. Limited manpower has also slowed repair work on faulty lines, worsening the situation.

Local residents reported that they receive electricity for only a few hours each day, while bills have increased. The zonal deputy general manager said the shortage from the national grid has made load shedding unavoidable but expressed hope that supply will normalize once the situation improves.

Bangladeshi singer Sabrina Naushin Tushi, who was named the top performer in the 2023 Channel i Serakantha competition, is set to release a new romantic song titled 'Jan Pakhire Pran Pakhire Gan Pakhire Tui Amar'. The song was written by Shafiq Tuhin and Plabon Kuraishi, with composition and music arrangement by Shafiq Tuhin, who also performs alongside Tushi. According to Tushi, the audio production has been completed, and the music video will be released soon on a YouTube channel.

Tushi expressed her admiration for the song’s lyrics and melody, describing it as a sweet romantic piece. She previously collaborated with Shafiq Tuhin on another song featured in a television drama. The singer also shared that she has been coping with the loss of her father, Abdur Rob Tofadar, who passed away on April 21. Following his death, she declined several stage show offers due to emotional distress but now plans to return to live performances in the coming days.

Tushi hopes that listeners will appreciate her new song and that it will resonate with audiences once released.

Bangladesh Bank has increased the cash incentive for the domestic export-oriented textile sector from 1.5 percent to 5 percent. The central bank issued a circular on Sunday implementing the decision based on a directive from the Ministry of Finance. The incentive serves as an alternative to the duty bond and duty drawback facilities previously available to exporters.

According to the circular, exporters who are members of BGMEA, BKMEA, or other relevant associations must submit proof of sourcing raw materials, particularly yarn and fabric, from domestic sources before receiving the incentive. The measure aims to encourage the use of locally produced inputs in textile exports.

Industry sources noted that about two and a half years ago, exporters using local yarn received a 4 percent incentive, which was gradually reduced to 1.5 percent by mid-2024 as part of preparations for Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country list. The new increase to 5 percent is expected to support local raw material use and strengthen the textile sector’s competitiveness.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury informed the National Parliament that nine state-owned banks in Bangladesh hold defaulted loans totaling Tk 1,88,701.75 crore as of May 31. He provided the figure while responding to a question from Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Sabikun Nahar during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

The minister identified the banks as Agrani, Janata, Rupali, Sonali, BASIC, Bangladesh Development Bank, Krishi Bank, Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank, and Probashi Kallyan Bank. He emphasized the need to reduce the high rate of defaulted loans to restore discipline in the banking sector. In response to other parliamentary questions, the minister also disclosed that as of December 31, the government’s total debt stood at Tk 22,06,462 crore, including Tk 9,59,311 crore in foreign loans and Tk 12,47,151 crore in domestic loans.

He further stated that during the 2025–26 fiscal year, Bangladesh repaid foreign loans amounting to USD 4.65 billion, comprising USD 3 billion in principal and USD 1.65 billion in interest.

As-Sunnah Foundation has announced a plan to build permanent houses for 300 families who lost their homes in recent floods. The announcement was made on Sunday afternoon by Islamic scholar and foundation chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah through his official Facebook page. He stated that each family will receive a new two-room industrial tin house.

Earlier, on Saturday night, Shaykh Ahmadullah shared that the foundation’s relief trucks had reached flood-affected areas despite difficult routes and obstacles. The organization initially planned to distribute 81 tons of emergency relief among 6,000 affected families, with the possibility of expanding the effort depending on available funds.

He also mentioned that the first phase of packaging 2,000 relief packets began in Baharchhara Union of Banshkhali upazila, Chattogram, to be distributed the following morning. The foundation intends to continue relief and rehabilitation activities in other regions as well, focusing on long-term recovery for flood victims.

Flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were severely disrupted on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions. Continuous rainfall since early morning forced at least two international flights to divert to Sylhet and Kolkata. More than fifty arrivals and departures were delayed beyond their scheduled times, according to airport authorities.

Airport sources confirmed that a US-Bangla Airlines flight from Dubai landed at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport, while a China Southern Airlines flight from Guangzhou was diverted to Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Flights from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Madinah, Syedpur, Jeddah, Chattogram, and Kuala Lumpur also faced delays as aircraft circled in the air before landing.

Officials said heavy overnight rain, reduced visibility, and strong winds created operational challenges, prompting safety-driven diversions and rescheduling. The disruptions caused significant inconvenience for passengers waiting at Dhaka airport as delayed international arrivals affected overall flight management.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that Bangladesh’s new program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be designed to safeguard public interest and national economic security. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, July 12, 2026, he emphasized that the government will not join any IMF initiative that undermines the welfare of the people.

The minister criticized the previous IMF program adopted by the former government, describing it as contrary to public interest and incompatible with a democratic administration. He stated that the current government withdrew from that program to protect the nation’s economic priorities. Chowdhury reiterated that the main goal is not merely to secure funds but to ensure the protection of Bangladesh’s economic sovereignty and citizens’ welfare.

He also announced plans to revise the country’s visa policy to make it simpler and more modern, aiming to attract more foreign tourists and investors while strengthening global confidence in Bangladesh.

A Royal Bengal tigress that was seriously injured in a poacher’s trap has been released back into the Sundarbans after months of medical care. The release took place at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday in the Andhar Manik area of the Chandpai Range in the eastern Sundarbans. The event was attended by State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam and senior forest officials. The minister said the government prioritizes the protection of the Sundarbans and its biodiversity and emphasized public cooperation in wildlife conservation.

According to the Forest Department, the tigress was trapped on January 3 in the same area and rescued after being tranquilized. She was taken to the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division’s rehabilitation center in Boyra, Khulna, where a five-member veterinary team treated severe leg injuries caused by the trap. The tigress, aged about nine to ten years, has now regained full health and agility, with increased weight and restored hunting ability.

Officials said the decision to release her in the original location was made after expert consultation in a virtual meeting held on May 21.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in six divisions due to active monsoon conditions. According to a forecast signed by meteorologist Khondaker Hafizur Rahman, areas in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions may experience intense rainfall within the next 24 hours from noon on July 12, 2026.

The department defines heavy rainfall as 44 to 88 millimeters within 24 hours, while precipitation exceeding 88 millimeters is considered very heavy. In the past 30 hours, Dhaka recorded 179 millimeters of continuous rain, including 97 millimeters in the first 24 hours and 82 millimeters in the following six hours. Patuakhali recorded the highest rainfall nationwide at 132 millimeters during the same period.

Waterlogging caused by the heavy rain and inadequate drainage has submerged roads and alleys across the capital, creating severe disruption for residents and visitors.

A 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal early Sunday morning, according to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services. Tremors were felt in several coastal areas of Visakhapatnam and nearby districts of Andhra Pradesh, including Gajuwaka, Mangalapalem, Sagar Nagar, Pedda Waltair, Arilova, MVP Colony, and Appughar. No casualties or damage have been reported so far.

The National Centre for Seismology stated that the quake occurred at 5:05:46 a.m. Indian time, with its epicenter located about 225 kilometers off the Kakinada coast at a depth of 10 kilometers. Mild shaking was also reported in parts of Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, Kakinada, and Konaseema districts.

Authorities have not issued any warnings, and there are no reports of significant impact following the tremor, which was relatively shallow and moderate in intensity.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired a meeting on two waste-to-energy projects for Dhaka North and South City Corporations. The meeting was held on Sunday morning at the Cabinet Division conference room in the Secretariat, according to Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Swadhin. The projects aim to convert city waste into electricity to support sustainable urban energy generation.

During the meeting, it was stated that China’s CMEC Group will invest in a waste-to-energy plant at Aminbazar under Dhaka North City Corporation. The facility will process about 3,000 tons of waste daily to produce 42.5 megawatts of electricity and is expected to begin supplying power to the national grid by August 2028, with a projected operational lifespan of 25 years. Meanwhile, South Korea’s B&F Company will implement a similar project at Matuail under Dhaka South City Corporation, generating around 15,000 tons of methane gas annually to produce approximately 81,000 megawatt-hours of electricity.

The projects will also produce solar power, fertilizer, animal feed, and eco-bricks, contributing to waste management improvement and climate change mitigation. The Prime Minister instructed relevant ministries to coordinate through an inter-ministerial meeting to ensure timely and environmentally sound implementation.

At least 16 people have died of hunger in Uganda’s northeastern Karamoja region in recent weeks, according to the government. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said her office will seek cabinet approval on Monday to secure additional food supplies for the affected areas. Once approved, more grain will be purchased and distributed urgently to communities in need.

Local farmers reported that since April, when the planting season usually begins, the region has received little to no rainfall. The lack of rain has dried up large fields of maize, sorghum, and soybeans, destroying hopes of a good harvest and worsening food shortages. Experts say recurring food crises in Karamoja are driven by climate change, erratic rainfall, deforestation, overgrazing, and crop diseases.

The government has already begun distributing emergency food aid. Specialists have urged investment in better weather forecasting, irrigation systems, and the development and expansion of drought-resistant crop varieties to reduce future risks.