Continuous heavy rainfall and mountain runoff from upstream in India have pushed the Teesta River above its danger level in Lalmonirhat. At 9am on Wednesday, August 5, water at the Dalia point of the Teesta Barrage was flowing 13 centimetres above the danger mark. The water began rising rapidly from Tuesday night, raising fears of severe flooding among residents of riverside areas.

The Water Development Board and local sources said heavy rainfall in the upstream Indian areas over several days had increased the river’s flow. Roads and cropland in char areas have begun to go underwater, while low-lying riverside parts of Lalmonirhat have already been flooded. Boats and rafts have become the only means of communication in some char areas. Waterlogged families are facing hardship with livestock, children, elderly people and persons with disabilities, alongside concerns over snakes and poisonous insects.

Residents said flood-control embankments and elevated riverside roads are at risk under intense water pressure, alleging that the embankments have not been repaired for a long time. Dalia Water Development Board Executive Engineer Amitabh Chowdhury confirmed the water level. Lalmonirhat Executive Engineer Sunil Kumar Ray urged riverside and char residents to move with maximum caution.

Iraq exported more than 30 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz between July 4 and August 4, according to an AFP report published on August 5, 2026. The volume was about 29 percent of Iraq’s average monthly exports before the war. Iraq’s state oil marketing company SOMO said an estimated 35.5 million to 37 million barrels were transported through the strait in July.

Before the war, Iraq exported an average of 105 million barrels of oil each month through the Strait of Hormuz. Most of those supplies came from oil terminals in the southern Basra area. SOMO chief Ali Nizar provided the July transport estimate cited in the report.

Nizar said Iraq also exported another 7 million barrels through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline via the port of Ceyhan during the same period. Iraq transported some crude through Syria by tanker trucks as well. Discussions are still under way on plans to build a pipeline to Syria’s port of Baniyas.

At least seven people have died in landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rain in central Sri Lanka, according to an Al Jazeera report published Tuesday. Several others were injured, while schools in the country’s central highland areas were ordered closed because of the conditions. Heavy rainfall caused extensive damage in the tea-producing mountainous region.

Pradeep Kodippili, a spokesperson for the government’s Disaster Management Centre, said five people died after two houses were buried by landslides in the central region. Two other people drowned in floodwaters. The rain and flooding damaged 129 homes, and about 3,500 people were moved to safer locations.

Sri Lanka’s navy and army were deployed to rescue people stranded by floodwaters. Footage aired by local broadcaster Hiru TV showed soldiers walking along submerged roads to evacuate trapped families. Nuwara Eliya and Badulla districts are mountainous and difficult to access, with slopes long vulnerable to landslides during the rainy season. Officials have not announced when schools in affected districts will reopen, saying the decision will depend on weather conditions in the coming days.

Heavy rainfall and upstream flows have made the Teesta turbulent in Nilphamari, where water is running 13 centimeters above the danger level. At 9am on Wednesday, the water level at the Dalia point in Dimla was recorded at 52.28 centimeters, against a danger mark of 52.15 centimeters. The river remained at the same level at 10am.

Floodwater has begun entering low-lying areas in Dimla upazila, including Purba Chhatnai, Khagakharibari, Tepakharibari, Khalisha Chapani, Jhunagach Chapani and Goyabari unions. Low-lying areas of Golmunda, Dawabari and Shaulmari unions in Jaldhaka upazila have also started receiving floodwater.

The district’s average rainfall was recorded at 132.0 millimeters. Authorities opened 44 sluice gates on the barrage. Amitabh Chowdhury, executive engineer of the Dalia Water Development Board, said Teesta water had been flowing 13 centimeters above the danger level since 6am.

International crude oil prices declined on hopes of a possible agreement to normalize shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The report, published on August 5, said Brent crude, a key global benchmark, had fallen below $80 a barrel after exceeding $100 during the most intense period of the war.

By 1:10 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time on Wednesday, Brent had risen 26 cents, or about 0.33 percent, to $79.62 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude was trading 12 cents, or 0.16 percent, higher at $75.90 a barrel. Investor confidence also increased amid expectations of a possible deal to restore shipping through the strait.

Analysts said ongoing talks between Iran and Oman, the stability of the US economy, and record profits at US companies contributed to positive market sentiment. On Tuesday, as Brent declined, the Dow Jones ended above 54,000 points at a new record. Analysts cautioned, however, that the positive market situation could change quickly if the Hormuz discussions fail to produce an agreement.

Kuakata, a tourist destination in Patuakhali, is experiencing up to 15 or 16 power cuts a day because it receives roughly half of its electricity demand from the national grid. The report, published on August 5, says tourists, hotel and resort owners, restaurant operators and local residents are facing severe disruption. Many tourism-related businesses are relying on generators for much of the day to keep operating.

The Kuakata zonal office of Patuakhali Palli Bidyut Samity supplies Kuakata municipality and the unions of Mahipur, Latachapli, Dhulasar and Dalbuganj. Residents said outages have occurred frequently during both day and night for several days. About 200 residential hotels and motels, more than 100 restaurants and other tourism businesses have had normal operations disrupted, while generator fuel and operating costs have increased.

Deputy General Manager Mostafa Aminur Rashed said local demand stands at 11 to 12 megawatts, while the area receives only 5 to 6 megawatts from the national grid. He said Kuakata has no additional allocation or special budget as a tourist destination, and the office has requested extra power allocations from higher authorities. Residents and tourism stakeholders called for a separate allocation and increased grid supply.

A concert titled “Barsha Biplober Gaan” has been arranged at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Wednesday afternoon to mark the Victory Day of the historic July mass uprising. Organizers said the event, arranged by the Monsoon Cultural Alliance, will begin at 3 p.m.

Performers listed for the concert include Parsa Mahjabeen, Sejan, Kureghor, Arbovirus, AvoidRafa, Asif Akbar, Shironamhin, Ark (Hasan) and Artcell. Hasnat Abdullah MP, chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizen Party, is serving as convener of the event’s implementation committee.

Tahsin Riaz, joint member secretary of the NCP, is overseeing overall management. Acting Speaker Barrister Kaiser Kamal is expected to attend as chief guest, while Whip Nur-e-Alam and opposition chief whip Md Nahid Islam are listed as special guests.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Human Resources, Muhannad bin Ahmed Al-Issa, said Bangladeshi workers can renew their iqama under another employer if their original employer or sponsor does not renew it. The announcement was made during a bilateral meeting on Tuesday with Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, according to a report published on August 4, 2026.

Al-Issa said workers would be able to renew their iqama promptly under another employer or sponsor in such circumstances, without legal obstacles. Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Consular Dr. Mohammed A. M. Alshamri was also among the Saudi delegation at the meeting.

Bangladesh proposed formal reviews and renewals of three domestic worker recruitment agreements, a Skills Verification Program agreement, and a general worker recruitment agreement. It also called for meetings of a joint commission and joint technical committee, and proposed a Saudi-Bangladesh joint technical training institute in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi officials urged increased recruitment of skilled workers ahead of the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, protections for female domestic workers, and clemency for Bangladeshi workers held in Saudi detention facilities during Ramadan and Eid.

The Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh, or REHAB, has faced internal disagreement and stagnation over a Tk 20 million donation to the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund. A section of the board alleged that proper board procedures were not followed in making the donation and other administrative and policy decisions. The current leadership said all major decisions, including the donation, were approved by the board and described the allegations as motivated.

Ten elected directors filed complaints against the current leaders with the Ministry of Commerce. After hearing both sides on July 30, the ministry postponed REHAB’s August 1 annual general meeting for further observation, contributing to the organisational deadlock. Separately, 16 elected directors wrote to the ministry supporting the leadership.

The supporting directors said the second board meeting had taken a policy decision to donate, though it did not set an amount. They said a sudden appointment with the Prime Minister left no opportunity to call another board meeting, and vice presidents discussed the amount before the Tk 20 million cheque was issued. President Dr Ali Afzal called for differences to be resolved through discussion.

The Department of Environment fined AristoCare, a private hospital in Chattogram’s Mehedibag area, Tk150,000 for operating without environmental clearance. The decision was announced after a hearing at the Department of Environment’s Chattogram metropolitan office on Monday.

According to the department, the hospital began medical operations on Mehedibag Road in the city’s Chawkbazar area without obtaining approval, violating the Environment Conservation Act, 1995, as amended in 2010. Operating without location clearance falls under environmental law violations. Assistant Director Muktadir Hasan said the hospital authorities were summoned to the hearing and acknowledged the irregularities, after which the fine was imposed under the law.

The hospital has also been instructed to promptly ensure proper and scientific management of liquid waste. The Department of Environment warned that operations may continue only after appropriate liquid-waste treatment arrangements are in place. Hasan said enforcement drives and legal action against establishments operating illegally without environmental clearance will continue to prevent environmental pollution.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Dhaka University unit submitted a memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam on Tuesday, August 4, seeking six measures to improve cleanliness and environmental protection across the university campus, residential halls and academic buildings. The programme was held at the vice-chancellor’s office at 10:30am under the themes “Green & Clean Campus First” and “Let us build cleanliness habits, build a vibrant campus.”

The demands included installing sufficient bins and separating waste, ensuring shop cleanliness, conducting regular cleaning drives, improving sanitation, centrally monitoring canteens and cafeterias, and planting and preserving trees. The memorandum called for at least one bin within every 150 to 200 metres, separate coloured bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, and regular maintenance.

The organisation proposed cleaning campaigns at least two days a month in every residential hall and academic building with student participation. It also sought repairs and upkeep of toilets and washrooms, bins outside shops, measures encouraging biodegradable alternatives to plastic cups and bags, and quarterly food and environment white papers based on monitoring data. Unit president Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and general secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon attended.

Imports of green chillies from India through Dinajpur’s Hili land port have begun affecting domestic prices within two days, the report said on August 4, 2026. Sixteen trucks carrying 104 tonnes entered through the port, increasing supply and cutting retail prices by about Tk130 per kilogram. Chillies that sold for Tk280 per kilogram a few days earlier were selling for Tk150.

Retailer Mobarak Hossain and other traders at Hili market said recent excessive rain and floods damaged chilli fields in several parts of the country, reducing production. They said the resulting supply shortage had driven prices higher, while the start of imports was now increasing availability. The price decline has brought relief to ordinary buyers, according to the report.

Hili land port plant quarantine centre assistant sub-officer Md Ujjwal Hossain said 74 importers had received import permits for a total of 36,000 tonnes of green chillies. Imported chillies were being sold in wholesale markets at Tk110 to Tk120 per kilogram depending on quality and supplied to Dhaka and other regions. Traders said prices could fall further if imports continue.

Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) missed its revised revenue collection target in the outgoing 2025-26 fiscal year, according to updated data released on Tuesday. Against a target of Tk 503,000 crore, the agency collected Tk 415,473 crore, leaving a shortfall of Tk 87,527 crore. The collection was 17 percent below the target.

Revenue collection nevertheless rose from Tk 370,875 crore in the previous 2024-25 fiscal year. The increase of Tk 44,598 crore represented growth of more than 12 percent, and NBR crossed the Tk 400,000 crore revenue collection mark for the first time despite missing its target.

The target was initially set at Tk 499,000 crore at the start of the fiscal year, raised to Tk 554,000 crore after five months, and later revised by the government to Tk 503,000 crore. NBR officials had expected collection of Tk 430,000 crore, but actual receipts were Tk 15,000 crore lower. In June, NBR collected Tk 54,523 crore against Tk 60,915 crore, while June revenue was 26.54 percent higher than the same month a year earlier.

A 54-kilogram giant trevally, locally known as tabala fish, was caught in deep waters of the Bay of Bengal off Kuakata in Patuakhali. The fish was brought to Mahipur fish landing centre on Tuesday morning and purchased at auction by local fish trader Rubel Gharami for Tk36,000, or about Tk667 per kilogram.

Fishermen said the fish was caught in the net of the fishing trawler FB Salma Karim. It was sold through the Ankhi Fish and Tahura Fish wholesale outlets, drawing local traders, fishermen and curious visitors. Experts identified it as giant trevally, Caranx ignobilis, a powerful marine predator from the Carangidae family that can exceed one metre in length and weigh up to about 80 kilograms.

Bakhtiar Rahman, a research assistant with the Shustho Sagor project, said the species is occasionally caught along Bangladesh's coast and helps regulate populations of smaller fish, crabs and squid. Fisheries academic Rajib Sarkar called for documenting identification, size, weight and catch location, while fisheries officer Apu Saha noted its economic value for fishermen.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain said canal restoration and regular maintenance are being given the highest priority to reduce waterlogging, preserve environmental balance and ensure sustainable urban management. He made the remarks while inspecting Chaktai Canal in the city on Tuesday, August 4. The mayor said keeping the canals’ water flow active is among the corporation’s key commitments.

Shahadat said ensuring the natural flow of canals is essential to transform Chattogram into a clean, safe and waterlogging-free city. He described canals as more than drainage routes, saying they are also an important part of the city’s environmental balance. He called for uninterrupted canal restoration, routine cleaning and development work.

The mayor said progress in ongoing excavation and cleaning at Rasulbagh, or Chaktai, Canal was satisfactory. He added that every project funded by public money must ensure transparency, accountability and quality. Chattogram-9 lawmaker Abu Sufian and City Corporation Chief Cleanliness Officer Captain Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury were present during the inspection.