National
Rainfall Expected to Continue Nationwide: Met
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast light to moderate, and in some areas, heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by temporary gusty winds across all eight divisions of the country in the next 24 hours from 9 am today.
The weather bulletin issued this morning stated, “Light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty wind are likely to occur in most places across Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barisal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions, with moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in some areas.”
The bulletin noted that the monsoon is active over Bangladesh and strong over the North Bay. It added that both day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
Looking ahead, the extended weather outlook for the next 72 hours suggests a likely decrease in rainfall activity.
On Tuesday, the highest temperature in the country was recorded at 34.2 degrees Celsius in Bhola, while the lowest temperature today was 23.5 degrees Celsius in Bandarban. Over the last 24 hours, Dinajpur recorded the highest rainfall at 127mm.
In the capital, the sun is set to rise at 5:16 am tomorrow and set at 6:50 pm today.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today encouraged children to start preparing for the future, envisioning a time when they could travel to the moon.
“We will go to the moon one day. So, you have to take preparation from this moment,” she stated during the inauguration of the “Bangabandhu Corner” at Gimadanga Tungipara Government Model Primary School.
The Prime Minister also unveiled a picture album titled “Eso Bangabandhuke Jani” (Let’s Know Bangabandhu), featuring artwork by children with special needs from the school, which was founded in 1912.
Sheikh Hasina urged the students to study diligently, aspiring to roles such as prime minister, ministers, scientists, and other prominent positions.
“Study attentively to be great human beings. We will build Smart Bangladesh. You will be really smart. You will run the state one day. You will be prime minister, minister, and scientist, reaching greater heights and conducting research,” she said.
The Prime Minister offered her prayers and blessings for the children’s success in their endeavors.
As the elder daughter of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina reflected on her father’s vision for a better life for children.
Discussing the album of historical pictures created by children with special needs, she emphasized its role in educating about the country’s history.
She noted that her father never sought personal luxury, instead dedicating himself to improving the lives of the people.
“He (Bangabandhu) had only one target: to rid the people of poverty and give them an improved life,” she added.
Upon her arrival at the school, students warmly welcomed the Prime Minister. The school holds significant memories of Bangabandhu, who studied there as a child.
Sheikh Hasina interacted with the students, inquiring about their well-being, and spent time at the Bangabandhu Corner, which houses various books on the Father of the Nation.
Following her school visit, she toured the Tungipara Multipurpose Pouro Market.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister offered prayers at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara. She had arrived at her ancestral home on Friday afternoon after attending a civic reception at Mawa in Munshiganj, marking the completion of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge construction.
Over 700,000 people across 13 upazilas in Sylhet district are facing the brunt of a third wave of flooding, even as the region struggles to recover from the second wave. Heavy rains and upstream water flow have inundated several areas on Monday, though Sylhet city remains unaffected for now.
The latest flooding has submerged 97 unions, leaving thousands stranded. The Sylhet district administration reports that approximately 8,351 residents are taking refuge in 189 shelters.
All upazilas in Sylhet have been impacted by the floods, which are being attributed to hill torrents and excessive rainfall. The Surma and Kushiyara rivers, among others, are flowing above danger levels at multiple points.
The Water Development Board of Sylhet noted that as of 6 pm on Tuesday, the Surma River at Kanaighat point was 112 cm above the danger level, while at the Sylhet point, the water level was at 10.79 cm, just below the danger threshold of 10.80 cm.
The Kushiyara River’s water levels were 89 cm above the danger level at Amalshid point, 97 cm at Fenchuganj point, 26 cm at Sheola point, and 17 cm at Sherpur point. Meanwhile, the water levels of the Sari, Sarigowain, and Lova rivers have slightly decreased.
Shah Md. Sajib Hossain, assistant meteorologist at the Sylhet Meteorological Department, reported 14 mm of rainfall from 6 am to 6 pm on Tuesday, with heavy rain expected to continue today.
Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russel Hasan stated that the possibility of a third wave of floods had been anticipated, prompting upazila executive officers to prepare in advance following directives from higher authorities. He assured that relief centers are ready and that the government is fully prepared to handle the situation with caution.
Sylhet previously experienced severe flooding on May 27 due to heavy rains and hill torrents from upstream, which had largely subsided by June 8. However, continuous rain from June 17 led to a second wave of flooding. Before recovery efforts could be completed, the third wave struck on July 1, further exacerbating the situation.
The High Court has issued directives to enforce regulations related to the filing and disclosure of assets owned by government officers and employees, as stipulated in the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules.
The court has instructed the cabinet secretary and other relevant officials to submit a progress report within three months detailing the measures taken to implement these regulations.
During a preliminary writ hearing on July 2, the bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ebadoth Hossain emphasized the detrimental impact of corruption on governance and development in the country.
The court stated, “All possible measures must be taken to stop corruption and money laundering. People from all walks of life must come together to form a movement against corruption.”
The High Court highlighted that the improper application of the law has enabled many government officials to amass excessive wealth, which is unacceptable.
Advocate Subir Nandi Das represented the writ petitioners during the hearing. The state was represented by Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik, while lawyer Fazlul Haq represented the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The writ, filed in the High Court on July 1 by Advocate Subir Nandi Das, seeks directives for government officials to submit and publish their asset statements online, as required by law.
The petition lists 10 respondents, including the cabinet secretary, the secretary of public administration, the secretary of home affairs, the chairman of the ACC, and the governor of Bangladesh Bank.
Advocate Subir Nandi Das stated, “I filed the writ seeking directions for government officers and employees to submit their asset statements to the authorities and publish them on a website as stipulated by law.”
