A severe shortage of fuel and electricity has brought life in the Rangpur region to a standstill, according to a report published on April 28, 2026. Worsening load-shedding has disrupted industrial production, halted irrigation, crippled transport, and severely affected students’ studies. Residents report that both fuel and electricity shortages have created a major crisis across the agriculture-dependent northern districts, with irrigation pumps unable to operate and crop yields at risk.

Industrial zones in Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, and Rangpur are facing production losses, leaving factory owners and workers in financial distress. Cold storage operators warn of potential spoilage of stored potatoes and vegetables due to insufficient fuel for generators. Auto-rickshaw drivers, dependent on electricity for charging, are also struggling to earn a living. Long queues and occasional clashes have been reported at fuel stations.

Power officials and experts acknowledge that many power plants have shut down due to the fuel crisis. They urge the government to restore supply quickly and explore alternative energy sources to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Farmers in Nesarabad upazila of Pirojpur have regained relief as diesel supply returned to normal, allowing irrigation to resume and revitalizing paddy fields. Earlier, irrigation in the upazila’s Irri-Boro fields was disrupted on March 30 and April 22 due to a diesel shortage, causing several hectares of paddy to wilt and raising fears of poor yield.

Following a report published by the newspaper, the upazila administration and agricultural officials took steps to improve the situation. Upazila Executive Officer Amit Dutta confirmed that diesel is now being supplied according to farmers’ demand and that there is no current shortage. Upazila Agriculture Officer Mahfuzur Rahman stated that with adequate diesel, irrigation and paddy production are proceeding smoothly, and yields are strong.

According to the upazila agriculture office, Irri-Boro paddy cultivation has been successful across 5,610 hectares of land, indicating a positive outcome after the earlier supply crisis.

In Syedpur of Nilphamari, unpaid electricity bills in 24 Bihari camps have reached Tk 66 crore as of February 2026, creating a prolonged dispute over who should bear the cost. Despite repeated letters from the local electricity office to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, no resolution has been reached. The ministry has stated it will only pay bills up to 2016, arguing that camp residents are now Bangladeshi citizens and must pay their own bills.

Field visits revealed that while each camp has a government-installed meter, many residents also use direct connections from nearby poles without meters. The camps consume about Tk 50 lakh worth of electricity monthly. Officials warn that continuous power use is maintained to prevent fire hazards from illegal connections.

Local leaders and rights activists attribute the crisis to poor planning and lack of formal integration of the camps into the city structure. They say the government is losing revenue while residents face safety risks. Camp representatives have called for dignified rehabilitation to resolve the issue permanently.

International crude oil prices continued to rise as diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran to ease tensions remained stalled. As of 00:51 GMT, Brent crude futures for June delivery increased by 45 cents, or 0.4 percent, reaching $108.68 per barrel. The previous session saw a 2.8 percent gain, marking the seventh consecutive day of upward movement. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate crude for June delivery rose by 58 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $96.96 per barrel after a 2.1 percent increase the day before.

Analysts attributed the sustained price rise to geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and the deadlock in US-Iran discussions, which have raised concerns about potential supply disruptions. These factors have maintained upward pressure on oil prices in global markets.

The ongoing instability in the region and lack of diplomatic progress suggest that volatility in energy markets may persist if the situation remains unresolved.

Five struggling Islamic banks—Exim, Social Islami, First Security Islami, Union, and Global Islami—were merged under the interim government to form the state-owned Sammilit Islami Bank. However, the bank’s chairman has resigned, and the appointed managing director has not joined. In the two months since the new government took office, no progress has been made on leadership appointments, branch consolidation, or IT integration, leaving depositors anxious about the bank’s future.

The merger was initiated under the 2025 Bank Resolution Ordinance, with the government contributing Tk 20,000 crore in capital and depositors receiving Tk 15,000 crore in shares. Yet, a recent legal amendment allowing former owners to regain control has reignited depositor unrest. Administrators report stalled operations, rising withdrawal pressure, and a lack of clear direction from Bangladesh Bank. Governor Mostakur Rahman has acknowledged that the government has not reached a final decision on the banks’ fate.

Experts warn that prolonged indecision could worsen financial instability. They stress that any move to return ownership to previous controllers must ensure accountability for past mismanagement and protect depositor confidence.

Five days after bus fares were raised following a fuel price hike, bus operations in Dhaka have yet to return to normal. The shortage began when a fuel crisis hit the country due to the Iran war, leading to fewer buses on major city routes such as Gulistan–Mirpur, Rampura, and Satrasta. As a result, passengers are facing long waits and overcrowded buses, particularly during office hours.

Bus conductors said they spend long hours in line to refuel, reducing the number of daily trips. Some owners are also avoiding operating buses lacking proper documents or fitness certificates under the new government. Although fares were officially increased last Thursday, most city buses are still charging old rates, as conductors have not received updated fare charts. Transport workers expressed dissatisfaction with the new fare structure, and owners have yet to issue final instructions.

On long-distance routes, the new fares have been implemented, but passengers reported being charged 50 to 150 taka more than the approved rates. The Passengers’ Welfare Association confirmed receiving growing complaints about overcharging on several inter-district routes.

The Migrant Welfare Network (MWN) has submitted a memorandum to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment demanding compensation, rehabilitation, justice, and accountability for hundreds of Bangladeshi workers who returned from Malaysia after facing abuse and fraud. The memorandum was handed over on Monday during a meeting with the expatriates’ welfare minister.

According to returning workers, they had spent between 500,000 and 550,000 taka to go to Malaysia in 2023 and were employed by companies such as Mediseram and Kawaguchi. They alleged that the companies withheld salaries for over five to six months, confiscated passports, and subjected them to forced labor and physical abuse. The minister reportedly assured them that the responsible recruitment agencies would be summoned and that compensation and blacklisting issues would be addressed.

The workers’ demands include immediate payment of due wages, full compensation under international standards, return of seized passports, cancellation of blacklists, effective rehabilitation programs, and legal action against exploitative agencies. They also called for zero-cost safe migration, reform of complaint mechanisms, and inclusion of workers in migration policy-making.

Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku announced that the government has set a target to generate 10,000 megawatts of solar power within the next five years to address the country’s electricity shortage. He made the statement on Monday at the Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Forum organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in Dhaka’s Gulshan. The minister said unused government land will be identified and allocated for large-scale solar projects through inter-ministerial coordination, including land along the Jamuna River.

He added that unused land owned by agencies such as the railway will be brought under investment, and a committee has been formed to implement major projects under public-private partnerships. The minister acknowledged that private power producers’ dues, dollar shortages, and high fuel import costs have worsened the power situation, though some improvement in load-shedding is expected in the coming weeks. BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud bin Harun said new guidelines will allow private investors to use government land for 15 to 20 years, with a pilot project already underway in Feni’s Sonagazi.

CPD Research Director Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem emphasized that renewable energy is essential for energy security as fossil fuel-based economies face growing uncertainty. He noted that over $9 billion in investment will be needed to achieve the 10,000 MW green power goal by 2030.

A power generation unit of India’s Adani Group, which had been shut down due to a recent mechanical fault, has resumed operations. According to the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB), electricity from the previously closed unit began feeding into the national grid from Monday night. With both units now active, Bangladesh is again receiving electricity from the full capacity of the Adani power plant.

Data from the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) showed that the two units together had been supplying up to 1,499 megawatts before the disruption. On April 22, production dropped sharply to about 700 megawatts when one unit went offline, creating pressure on the national grid. The restoration of the unit is expected to stabilize supply levels and ease grid stress.

The report did not specify the exact location of the power plant or the duration of the shutdown, but the resumption marks a return to normal power flow from Adani’s facilities to Bangladesh.

Retail sales in the United Kingdom have fallen to their lowest level in more than four decades, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). The CBI data, reported by Al Jazeera, show that the retail sales volume index dropped to -68 in April from -52 in March, marking the weakest reading since the index began in 1983. The decline is attributed to the ongoing war surrounding Iran and rising inflation concerns.

The survey also indicates growing pessimism for May, with the forecast index falling to -60, the lowest since March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. CBI economist Martin Sartorius said the economic impact of the Iran conflict is becoming more evident and urged the government to recognize that reducing living costs requires lowering business expenses. The organization called on the government to ensure new labor laws do not excessively raise employer costs and recommended reducing property taxes and electricity bills.

The survey, conducted between March 26 and April 14 among 61 retail firms, found that weak consumer confidence negatively affected April sales.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Tehran still possesses several important economic 'cards' that remain unused, countering Washington’s claims of dominance. In a post on his social media account on Sunday, he argued that the United States has already lost a significant portion of its power while Iran retains strategic leverage through its supply-based capabilities.

Ghalibaf described a balance between Iran’s supply-side strengths—such as the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and oil pipelines—and the U.S. demand-side measures, including releasing oil from strategic reserves, demand control, and potential price adjustments. He noted that while the Hormuz card has been partially used, the Bab el-Mandeb and pipeline options remain untouched.

He further pointed out that the U.S. has already employed or partially used several of its tools and faces economic constraints, particularly with rising fuel demand expected during the summer vacation period.

The government of Bangladesh has announced a new initiative called the 'LPG Card' aimed at easing the cooking-related hardships of women. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman revealed the plan on April 27, 2026, in Sharsha upazila of Jashore after inaugurating the re-excavation of the Ulshi canal. The LPG Card will allow registered female members of families to purchase LPG cylinders at subsidized or reduced prices.

According to the announcement, the program primarily targets women across both rural and urban areas. Rural women who rely on firewood or straw for cooking and face health risks from smoke, as well as low- and middle-income urban women who struggle with high LPG prices, are expected to benefit. The card system is designed to reduce both physical and financial burdens associated with cooking fuel.

Although the full policy is still under development, the Prime Minister indicated that cardholders may receive a fixed amount of gas each month at lower prices and will be able to collect or refill cylinders quickly from designated dealers or points.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, announced that the country’s electricity situation will improve and load shedding will decrease starting next week. He made the statement on Monday during a discussion at the Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Forum organized by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

The minister said the government aims to generate 10,000 megawatts of solar power within the next five years. He also noted that oil import costs have risen by 2 billion dollars and that 560 billion taka in electricity sector dues remain unpaid. During the same event, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun stated that the upcoming national budget will include duty benefits for battery production and imports.

The announcements reflect the government’s focus on renewable energy expansion and financial adjustments in the power sector to address current supply challenges.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the government will identify and correct existing errors in the Family Card project to ensure its effective implementation. Speaking to reporters after a committee meeting on the program at the Secretariat on Monday, he said the initiative aims to deliver benefits to the rightful recipients. The meeting was attended by Social Welfare Minister A Z M Zahid Hossain and Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir.

The minister explained that the project began on a pilot basis, during which some minor issues were detected. More than 37,000 cards have been distributed so far, and the authorities are reviewing whether any genuine beneficiaries were excluded or wrongly listed. He emphasized that the government will allocate sufficient funds in the upcoming budget to ensure the program continues without financial obstacles.

Chowdhury described the Family Card as not only a social protection initiative but also a humanitarian effort aimed at empowering women, supporting rural communities, and improving access to services for disadvantaged groups, with potential positive effects on the broader economy.

Low-cost airline Transavia, part of the Air France-KLM Group, announced on Sunday that it will cancel some flights scheduled for May and June due to rising jet fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The company said the cancellations represent about 2 percent of its total scheduled flights. Passengers affected by the cancellations will be offered free rescheduling, vouchers, or full refunds.

The report noted that the fuel crisis is spreading across Europe, which imports nearly half of its energy from Gulf countries. Disruptions in supply through the vital Strait of Hormuz have intensified market pressure since late February, following attacks in Iran by the United States and Israel. Around 20 percent of the world’s hydrocarbons pass through this route.

European Union Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned that Europe is heading toward a deeper energy crisis, which could further raise fuel prices and force more airlines to cancel flights. Transavia has already increased average round-trip fares by about 10 euros.