National
Dhaka Wasa to Raise Water Prices by 10% from July 1
The Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) has announced a 10% increase in water prices effective from July 1.
According to the new pricing structure, the residential rate per unit (1,000 liters) will rise to Tk16.7, up from Tk15.18, while the commercial rate will increase to Tk46.2, up from Tk42.
A notification issued on Wednesday (May 30) stated, “Dhaka Wasa’s respected customers are hereby informed that the prices were adjusted due to inflation according to section 22 of the Wasa Act 1996.”
The notification further mentioned, “This decision will also apply to unmetered holdings, deep tube wells, buildings under construction, and all types of (water and sewage) charges, including minimum bills. The notification is published as per section 23 of the Wasa Act 1996.”
In July 2022, Wasa had raised water prices by 5%, with the new rates becoming effective from September 1.
“According to the law, Wasa can raise water tariffs by 5% every year to adjust with inflation, and Wasa hiked the price as per the law,” said Dip Azad, a member of the Dhaka Wasa board.
Section 22 of the Dhaka Wasa Act-1996 permits the authorities to increase water tariffs by a maximum of five percent each fiscal year upon the board’s approval.
In 2017, water prices were Tk10 per unit for residential consumers and Tk32 for commercial users. Wasa implemented a five percent price hike for three consecutive years starting from 2017. In 2020, residential water prices saw a 25% increase following government approval.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
