United News of Bangladesh

The second T20I between Bangladesh and New Zealand was abandoned without a ball being bowled on Wednesday due to persistent rain. The third and final match of the series is on May 2 in Dhaka. The match was called off at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium after continuous downpours prevented the players from taking the field. Board officials confirmed that spectators who purchased tickets online for the fixture will receive refunds in accordance with the applicable ticketing policy. Bangladesh currently leads the three-match series 1-0 following a six-wicket victory in the opening game on Monday.

Light to moderate rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning flashes are likely in many parts of the country in 24 hours from 9 am on Wednesday, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds and lightning, are likely at many places over Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, and at a few places over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, it said. Moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected at some places in Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, the forecast added. The Met Office also said day and night temperatures across the country may remain nearly unchanged.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department(BMD) predicted light to moderate rains in parts of the country including Rangpur, Mymensingh and  Sylhet divisions in 24 hours from 9am on Sunday. “Rains or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind and lightning flashes are likely over Rangpur, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions and at one or two places over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal & Chattogram divisions with moderately heavy to very heavy falls at places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and  Sylhet divisions,”said a Met office bulletin. Besides, the mild heat wave sweeping over Khulna division and Dhaka, Madaripur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Patuakhali, Rangamati, Bandarban, Chandpur, Laxmipur & Feni districts may abate from some places. Day temperature may fall by (1-2)°C over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions and it may fall slightly elsewhere over the country. Night temperature may fall slightly over the country.

Rain or thundershowers with maximum wind speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour likely to sweep 19 districts, said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Rain or thunder showers temporary west or northwesterly gusty or squally wind speed 45-60kph is likely over Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Tangail, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Jashore, Kushtia, Faridpur, Madaripur, Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram and Sylhet where in river ports shall hoist cautionary signal no one, said a Met office bulletin. The warning for Inland River ports to remain valid till 6 pm on Saturday, according to a bulletin.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has predicted rain and thundershowers at several places in eight divisions of the country, including Dhaka, for 24 hours commencing 9 am on Saturday. “Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind and lightning flashes is likely to occur at a few places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hail at isolated places,” said a Met office bulletin. Day and temperatures may fall by 1-2°C over the country. A trough of low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area. Seasonal low lies over South Bay.  

Bangladesh Meteorological Department predicted  rain  or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind and lightning flashes in parts of the country in 24 hours from 9 am on Friday.  “Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty/squally wind and lightning flashes is likely to occur at a few places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh & Sylhet divisions and at one or two places overKhulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions with hails at isolated places,” said a Met office bulletin. Day temperature may fall slightly and night temperature  is likely to remain nearly unchanged over the country, it added.

Farmers in the northern district of Naogaon are struggling with fresh uncertainty as unseasonal rain, triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, has damaged prepared seedbeds for early winter vegetables and partially ripe Aman paddy. Potato fields, in particular, have been affected, causing concern among growers hoping to recover losses from last year. Agriculture officials said stagnant water in the fields has raised fears of widespread damage to newly planted potato seeds, transplanted Aman paddy and early winter vegetables, including cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, chili, eggplant and radish. Many plants, they said, are lying flattened in waterlogged fields across several upazilas. Read more: Polyshade tomato farming reviving Narail’s rural economy According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Aman has been cultivated on 193,000 hectares this year, while early winter vegetables cover 1,845 hectares. Potato cultivation is targeted on 21,000 hectares. A field visit revealed that farmlands prepared for potato cultivation or recently sown are submerged, forcing farmers to focus on draining the water to save their crops. Farmers also fear delays in planting on fallow lands that remain waterlogged and excess moisture has already caused root rot in some vegetables. Zainal, a farmer from Kalikapur Dangapara in Atrai upazila, expressed his worries, saying, “Last year I suffered a big loss from potato farming; hence I planted early this year in hopes of a better price. But now rainwater has submerged the field and I fear the seeds may not sprout properly. I don’t know what to do.” Sharing a similar experience, Ashraf Hossain from Varsho village in Manda upazila said, “Early potato farming is always risky, but I wanted to try since others were doing it. I planted on one bigha of land, but the sudden rain has filled the field with water.” Read more: Hidden hands in the fields: Dealers blamed for artificial fertiliser shortage in north Ratan Mollah of Barshail in Sadar upazila said, “I just finished planting potato seeds when the rain began. It’s still drizzling, and the soil remains soaked. Potato seeds rot easily if they stay wet. I’m worried most of my field will be damaged.” Meanwhile, Susheel Mistri of Hapania reported that his Aman paddy, which was ripening, had been flattened by rain and gusty winds. Vegetable grower Indri Mia from Kirtipur said, “The rain over the past few days has caused rot at the base of my cauliflower and other vegetable plants.” Downplaying the extent of the damage, DAE Deputy Director Homayra Mondal said, “Although it rained, it wasn’t a heavy downpour. Potato planting has just started and the newly planted seeds may face minor setbacks, but fields planted eight to ten days ago will likely remain safe. The rainfall is even beneficial for Aman. If the water drains quickly, there won’t be any major problem.” Read more: Rain pushes green chilli price to Tk 300 per kg, almost all vegetable prices upward As farmers race against time to salvage their crops, the unseasonal rainfall has once again highlighted the vulnerability of early winter cultivation to unpredictable weather.

The prices of green chilli increased suddenly by Tk100 per kg in the kitchen market of Dhaka amid holiday mood in the city. Talking with the correspondent, Abdul Hai, a street vendor of vegetables in the Segun Bagicha areas of the capital, stated on Thursday that the prices of green chillies have increased by Tk100 per kg in the wholesale market. As a result, they are selling green chilli by Tk300 to 320 per kg, which was Tk 200 per kg yesterday (Wednesday). Not only green chilli but also the prices of almost all vegetables increased by Tk10 to 20 per kg on Thursday. The traders have blamed rainy weather and the short supply of vegetables in the wholesale market. Alauddin Hawlader told UNB that the prices of almost all vegetables increased as the farmers are not picking/collecting vegetables from the field during the rains. Besides, vegetable fields of low-lying areas are remaining underwater, and the vegetables of the surrounding Dhaka were damaged by waterlogging. This adverse weather in late autumn has affected the vegetable field and early cultivated winter vegetables fields, he said. The consecutive days of rain have resulted in damaged harvests, pushing the prices of most vegetables above the Tk 80 per kg mark, with most seeing an increase of Tk 10 to Tk 20 from the previous week. The rising trend was observed during a market visit conducted by UNB reporters on Thursday across major city markets, including Karwan Bazar, Mohakhali, Hatirpool, Fakirapool, and Gopibag.

A heavy spell of rain early Monday once again exposed Dhaka’s unresolved waterlogging and inadequate drainage, paralysing the city for hours and reigniting debate over who can rescue the capital from its recurring misery. Md Amin, 30, a shop employee, collapsed near Najira Bazar intersection in Bangshal around 9:30am while wading through waterlogged streets during the downpour. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) unconscious at about 9:45am, where doctors declared him dead, said Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the DMCH police camp. Across the city, commuters were seen trudging through ankle- to knee-deep water as they struggled to reach offices, schools and other destinations. Roads and lanes lay submerged in Mouchak, Malibagh, Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Kalabagan, Karwan Bazar, Green Road, Monipuripara, New Market, Asad Gate, Jigatola and several other neighbourhoods.In some places, the water rose to knee level; in others, it reached the waist. Keya Sarker, an employee of a private company, shared her ordeal, saying, “Usually, it takes me 20 to 25 minutes to reach my office. Today, it took more than an hour. Travelling by bus from Kakrail to Mouchak felt like crossing a river.”   Shop employee electrocuted on Dhaka’s waterlogged road At Shantinagar intersection, she saw a van laden with goods trapped in water after its driver failed to notice a pothole hidden beneath the murky surface, worsening the traffic jam. Social media reflected similar frustrations, often touched with humour. Dhaka University student Tuli, from the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, wrote on Facebook, “My class was at 8:30am. When I woke up, I felt like I was floating on an island, as the hall was filled with water. I somehow swam out, but when I reached New Market, it was impossible to cross even by swimming. The rickshaw pullers were refusing to go. Finally, one agreed – but demanded Tk 850, though it seemed he felt bad about saying no.” Romana, another private employee, said, “The gridlocked traffic and flooded roads turned the morning rush into an ordeal. I had to wade through stinking water to reach my office.” Meteorologist Hafizur Rahman reported that 107mm of rainfall had been recorded in the capital over 24 hours till noon on Monday, while Feni district registered the highest rainfall at 116mm.   A Met Office bulletin said the sky might remain overcast for the next six hours, with daytime temperatures likely to drop slightly. Dhaka South City Corporation later issued a press release saying arrangements had been made to drain water quickly from inundated areas using temporary portable pumps. Roots of a Recurring Crisis Experts point to unplanned development as the prime cause of Dhaka’s chronic waterlogging. Illegal encroachment, landfill and diversions have choked stormwater drainage systems, obstructing the natural flow of water. As a result, the city is regularly exposed to irksome flooding, particularly during the monsoon.

The National Cricket League T20 (NCL) tournament has been postponed indefinitely due to adverse weather conditions. In a media release on Tuesday, BCB announced that a new schedule would be released depending on the situation. “Due to inclement weather, the NCL T20, 2025-26 has been postponed. The bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will announce a new schedule soon,” the statement read. On Saturday’s opening day at the Rajshahi Divisional Stadium, last season’s runners-up Dhaka Metro defeated Rajshahi Division by 7 wickets in a shortened five-over contest. Another match scheduled in Bogura that same day was washed out by rain. With the outfield in Bogura unfit for play, the next two days’ matches were shifted to Rajshahi. But from the second day onward, no games could be held there either due to persistent rain. As a result, the entire tournament has now been put on hold. BCB said that the board is closely monitoring the situation, and a revised schedule will be announced in due course.