Bangladesh observed World Population Day on Saturday with the theme “Fulfilling youth aspirations for a better tomorrow,” highlighting the need to transform its large working-age population into skilled human resources. The main event was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, attended by President Md. Shahabuddin and Health Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain. Both the President and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages, while national broadcasters aired special programs.

Experts noted that despite population growth, the country has not seen a proportional rise in skilled manpower. They warned that without adequate investment in education, technical training, and employment, the demographic dividend could turn into a burden. Rapid urbanization, internal migration due to climate change, and pressure on housing, transport, and healthcare were cited as growing challenges.

Speakers emphasized that planned population management, women’s empowerment, and youth skill development in technology, artificial intelligence, and modern agriculture are essential for sustainable growth. Officials from the Directorate of Family Planning added that long-term investment in maternal and child health can transform the population into productive human capital.

Excessive rainfall during the cultivation season has caused severe damage to jute farming in Char Rajibpur of Kurigram. Farmers in the area are suffering heavy losses as their fields have been submerged, destroying large portions of their crops. Many cultivators have become disoriented and financially strained due to the widespread damage.

Local farmers described how the season began with drought, delaying seed sowing due to lack of soil moisture. When rain finally arrived, they planted jute, but heavy downpours just days later flooded the fields. In Mohanganj Union, a farmer reported that only one bigha of his five-bigha jute field survived. Another farmer in Kodalkati Union said half of his two-acre crop was destroyed after standing water caused weeds and plant death.

In Rajibpur Sadar Union, a farmer lost most of his ten-bigha jute field, with only three bighas partially surviving. The situation is reported to be similar across the entire upazila, leaving the region’s jute cultivation in crisis.

Continuous rainfall and hill torrents have caused severe flooding and river erosion in several districts of Bangladesh, including Sunamganj, Habiganj, Cox’s Bazar, Bogura, and Noakhali. In Habiganj, the collapse of embankments along the Khowai River flooded at least 20 villages, leaving thousands stranded. Local authorities have allocated emergency funds, rice, and dry food, while government officials visited affected areas promising assistance. In Sunamganj, rising river levels have led to waterlogging in low-lying areas, prompting the administration to prepare over 1,300 shelters and deploy rescue boats and medical teams.

In Cox’s Bazar’s Ramu upazila, the situation has worsened as several unions were inundated, but residents reported no visible relief efforts, sparking frustration. Landslides have also disrupted road transport. In Bogura’s Sherpur upazila, erosion has threatened farmland and power poles, while in Noakhali’s Hatiya, prolonged rainfall and tidal surges have flooded vast areas, affecting crops and fisheries. Local administrations in several districts have pledged continued monitoring and relief distribution.

Authorities remain on high alert as floodwaters continue to rise, with further deterioration possible if heavy rainfall persists.

Heavy overnight rainfall and mountain runoff have severely worsened flooding in Rajasthali upazila of Rangamati. Water levels rose rapidly on Friday night, inundating low-lying areas of Gaindya and Ghilaichhari unions before residents could react. Hundreds of families are now trapped in their homes, facing acute hardship and fear as floodwaters continue to rise.

The flash floods have submerged houses and farmlands, causing extensive damage to seasonal vegetables and other crops near local canals. Farmers fear a major economic setback due to the destruction of their fields. Strong currents in the Kaptai canal have also created serious erosion risks for riverside homes, yet many residents remain in their houses despite the danger.

According to Upazila Nirbahi Officer Yusuf Hasan, authorities have been broadcasting warnings and urging people in vulnerable areas to move to shelters. However, many residents remain reluctant. The administration, in coordination with local union leaders, continues efforts to relocate families and has taken full preparedness measures to manage the situation.

Heavy and continuous rainfall accompanied by hill torrents has flooded low-lying areas of Raozan in Chattogram, submerging homes, shops, and roads including the Chattogram–Kaptai highway. Water levels in the Halda and Karnaphuli rivers have risen, and canals have breached in several unions and the municipality, leaving more than fifty thousand people waterlogged. The worst-affected areas include wards 4 and 5 of Raozan municipality, along with Chikdair, Dabua, Kadolpur, Pahartali, and Urkirchar unions.

Residents reported that floodwaters entered homes and markets, disrupting daily life and forcing people to cookless nights. Students have struggled to reach schools and colleges amid ongoing exams. Roads have broken in several places, fish ponds have overflowed, and seedbeds have been destroyed. Local volunteers are distributing dry food and essentials to affected families.

Raozan Upazila Executive Officer S M Rahatul Islam confirmed canal breaches and said contractors were instructed to repair embankments. Residents in risky areas have been advised to move to nearby shelters as rainfall continues and authorities monitor the situation.

Heavy rainfall and floodwaters from India have caused the Teesta River to swell rapidly, submerging low-lying and char areas in Lalmonirhat district. According to the Water Development Board, the river’s water level rose by about 80 centimeters in 24 hours and fluctuated near the danger mark. At Dalia Barrage, the water flowed six centimeters below the danger level on Friday morning after remaining above it overnight. To maintain normal flow, all 44 sluice gates of the barrage have been opened.

Officials warned that continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in northern Bangladesh and adjoining upstream regions could cause the Teesta, Dharla, and Dudhkumar rivers to rise further, possibly crossing danger levels temporarily. Residents along the riverbanks in several unions of Lalmonirhat, Kaliganj, and Hatibandha have become waterlogged, with crop fields already submerged.

Local residents expressed frustration, alleging that India releases water from the Gajoldoba Barrage without prior notice, worsening floods downstream. They demanded prior announcements before water release and urged immediate implementation of the long-promised Teesta Master Plan to prevent recurring flood damage.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast rain or thunderstorms accompanied by gusty to squally winds across 18 districts, including Dhaka. The advisory, issued early Saturday, covers the period from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. and instructs river ports in the affected areas to hoist cautionary signal number one due to possible adverse weather conditions.

According to the forecast, regions likely to experience the weather include Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Tangail, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Faridpur, Kushtia, Jashore, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and Sylhet. Winds from the south or southeast may blow at speeds between 45 and 60 kilometers per hour, accompanied by temporary gusts or squalls with rain or thunder.

The weather office has directed all river ports in these regions to display signal number one as a precaution against potential disruptions caused by the unstable weather.

Continuous heavy rainfall and upstream water flow have worsened flooding across multiple regions of Bangladesh. According to the Water Development Board, water levels in ten major rivers are flowing above danger marks, severely affecting Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Landslides triggered by persistent rain have already claimed 30 lives in hilly areas. Meteorologists describe this monsoon as the most extreme in forty years, with rainfall records approaching those of 1983.

The prolonged downpour has disrupted electricity, created acute shortages of safe drinking water, and left hundreds of thousands stranded. Road communication has been cut off in many areas, hampering relief and rescue operations. Authorities have urged the use of high-capacity boats and air support to reach remote flood-hit zones. The Meteorological Department attributes the abnormal rainfall to global climate change and El Niño effects.

Officials warn that the flood situation may worsen in the next 48 hours before gradual improvement. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to continue until July 13, with coastal and northeastern regions under heightened alert. Experts caution that prolonged rain could increase risks of waterborne diseases and call for urgent relief and medical measures.

The Bangladesh Army has been deployed in Chattogram to assist the civil administration in managing sudden floods caused by continuous heavy rainfall and hill torrents. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on Friday night, members of the 10th and 24th Infantry Divisions are conducting search, rescue, and relief operations in flood-affected areas under the 'In Aid to Civil Power' framework.

Earlier on Friday evening, local officials had stated that reports of army deployment in Satkania were inaccurate, mentioning only the provision of speedboats for rescue efforts. However, the ISPR later confirmed the formal deployment across several upazilas following an urgent request from the Chattogram district administration. The floods have severely affected Lohagara, Satkania, Chandanaish, and Banshkhali, leaving around four lakh people stranded.

The 24th Infantry Division has also been deployed in Boalkhali, Hathazari, and Fatikchhari, where flood conditions have worsened. Temporary camps have been set up to coordinate relief operations, and the army will continue rescue and aid activities until the situation stabilizes.

The Bangladesh Army has moved 221 families to safe shelters in the Chittagong Hill Tracts as heavy rainfall, hill torrents, and landslides continue to disrupt the region. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) release issued on Friday, army personnel are working with local administrations, security forces, and government agencies to conduct rescue operations, distribute relief, and restore communication networks.

The army has deployed engineering equipment and heavy machinery to clear debris and reopen blocked roads caused by landslides and waterlogging. In addition, stranded tourists have been rescued from remote areas, with 140 people evacuated from Bandarban and 150 of about 600 tourists in Sajek moved to safety in the first phase. Relief efforts include distributing cooked and dry food, clean water, and essential supplies such as rice, lentils, oil, and potatoes to affected families.

The army continues to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with local authorities to sustain rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations, reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives, property, and infrastructure during national emergencies.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new 'package visa' program aimed at simplifying travel procedures for tourists from seven countries, including Bangladesh. According to a Gulf News report published on Friday, the first phase of the initiative covers Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Mexico. The program allows eligible travelers to obtain tickets, accommodation, and other travel services under a single booking.

Under the new system, travelers can complete their visa and travel arrangements together without visiting a Saudi embassy. The package includes a return flight ticket, accommodation in licensed hotels, and an electronic tourist visa. The visa will be issued electronically within 48 hours of completing the booking through approved travel providers, currently identified as 'Rizerval' and 'Almosafer'.

The visa will be valid for three months and allow a single entry for stays between two and eighty-eight days. The minimum package cost is set at 4,000 Saudi riyals for the first two days, with an additional 1,000 riyals per extra day. The total visa fee, including travel insurance, is 402.21 riyals.

The Bangladesh Army is deploying ten speedboats in Satkania, Chattogram, to rescue people stranded by severe flooding. The deployment follows a request from the Chattogram district administration, and the boats, each with a driver and assistant, will begin operations on Saturday morning. Officials clarified that the army has not been fully deployed in Satkania; only the speedboats are being provided to assist in rescue and relief work.

According to the district commissioner and divisional commissioner, the boats will be used to rescue trapped residents, deliver emergency food, and distribute essential relief materials in areas cut off by floodwaters. Continuous heavy rainfall and hill runoff have inundated large parts of Satkania, leaving many families confined to their homes and disrupting road communication.

Local administration, fire service, volunteers, and public representatives are already conducting rescue and relief operations, but remote areas remain difficult to reach. The army’s speedboats will prioritize these isolated zones to deliver dry food, clean water, and medicine. Authorities are monitoring the flood situation closely and plan to intensify operations if water levels rise further.

Continuous rainfall and hill runoff from India’s Meghalaya have caused river levels in Sunamganj to rise, though none have yet crossed the danger mark. Low-lying areas are experiencing waterlogging, and the district administration has placed all 12 upazilas on high alert, preparing 1,311 shelters to handle potential flooding. According to the Water Development Board, river levels remain below danger levels but are being closely monitored as upstream flow continues.

Field observations show parts of the Sunamganj-Tahirpur road submerged, disrupting transport and forcing residents to use boats. Water has also entered courtyards in several haor villages. The Surma River at Sunamganj point was recorded at 7.30 meters, 50 centimeters below the seasonal danger level, while rainfall reached 77 millimeters in 24 hours. The district administration has mobilized over 492 boats, more than a thousand volunteers, and 1,056 medical teams, with food and relief supplies stocked.

Officials advised residents in low-lying areas to remain cautious as water levels may fluctuate depending on weather and upstream flow. Authorities remain on standby to provide assistance if conditions worsen.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain announced that about 90 percent of the city has been cleared of waterlogging following several days of heavy rainfall. He made the statement on Friday while visiting various affected areas in Chandgaon, accompanied by Chattogram-8 Member of Parliament Ershad Ullah. The mayor said that drainage work is ongoing in the remaining low-lying areas where water is still stagnant.

During the inspection, the mayor and the MP visited locations including Hajirpol, Chandgaon Residential Area, Balurtal, Anannya Residential Area, and Shamsherpara. They distributed relief materials among affected residents and discussed their problems and needs. Dr. Hossain stated that relevant departments of the city corporation are continuously working to remove drainage obstacles and keep canals and drains functional.

The prolonged rainfall had severely disrupted life in many low-lying neighborhoods, submerging homes and roads. Although water has receded in most areas, residents of the remaining flooded zones have called for a permanent solution to the recurring waterlogging problem.

Continuous heavy rainfall and mountain runoff have flooded vast areas of Banshkhali upazila in Chattogram, leaving more than 150,000 residents trapped in water. Two children, Miraj and Ashik, drowned in separate incidents on Friday morning in Baharchhara Union after being swept away by strong flood currents. Police confirmed the deaths and urged parents to keep children safe during the ongoing flood emergency.

Floodwaters have not receded after six days, and persistent rain has worsened the situation. Many homes are submerged, forcing residents into shelters where shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and relief supplies have been reported. The affected population is experiencing severe hardship and anxiety.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman visited several flood-hit areas on Friday, distributing cash and relief materials. He emphasized that helping disaster victims is a humanitarian duty beyond political or religious identity. Locals warned that without immediate relief, clean water, medical aid, and rehabilitation, the suffering of flood victims will intensify further.