National
Heavy Rains Inundate Moulvibazar, Stranding Nearly 2 Lakh People
Six out of seven upazilas in Moulvibazar have been flooded due to relentless rainfall and the onrush of water from upstream, leaving nearly two lakh people stranded. All rivers in the district are flowing above the danger level, affecting 432 villages across 37 unions in Moulvibazar Sadar, Rajnagar, Kulaura, Juri, Baralekha, and Srimangal upazilas.
Rural roads in the flood-hit areas are submerged, and many regional roads are also underwater. Homes and educational institutions are flooded, with residents seen placing sandbags on embankments in an attempt to protect their properties.
The Moulvibazar Water Development Board reported that the Manu River was 21 cm above the danger level in Chandnighat, the Kushiara River was 18 cm above the danger level at Sherpur, the Dhalai River was 5 cm above the danger level, and the Juri River was a staggering 202 cm above the danger level.
Deputy Commissioner Urmi Binte Salam stated that 432 villages in six upazilas were flooded due to continuous rains over the past few days. A total of 98 shelters have been prepared for the affected people, with 571 at-risk families already taking refuge.
Meanwhile, Sylhet district is also experiencing severe flooding, with over eight lakh people stranded due to heavy rainfall. According to the Sylhet district administration, approximately 825,256 people are stranded in 106 unions as of Wednesday afternoon.
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.
