People in Kurigram and Lalmonirhat districts have been experiencing bitter cold as 15 degrees Celsius temperature is prevailing in the districts, causing sufferings to the poor people. In Lalmonirhat, a bitter winter breeze accompanied by dense fog has been prevailing in the district, disrupting the normal life of people, especially the poor people. A thick fog covered the sky of the five upazilas of the district from Thursday night. Vehicles were seen plying the roads with headlights on during daytime while the children and elderly people were seen shivering due to a lack of warm clothes. Import-export through Lalmonirhat’s Burimari land port off for Kali Puja The farmers preferred to stay at home as they failed to go to their respective fields due to the shivering cold. As the weather is getting colder, more people are getting admitted to the hospital with cold related diseases. Nirmalendu Roy, Lalmonirhat Civil Surgeon, said mostly children are getting admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and other cold related diseases. Lalmonirhat health division has taken steps to provide special medical services. Tk 7 crore bridge in Lalmonirhat left unused due to no approach road In Kurigram, people are experiencing the bone-chilling cold as the weather office has recorded 15.0 degrees Celsius temperature in the district. The day labourers are worried about warm clothes and work due to the cold. Lalmonirhat Sramik League activist killed in attack by BNP men, locals say Subol Chandra Sarkar, officer-in-charge of Kurigram Razarhat Observatory Centre, said the Met office recorded 15.0 degrees Celcius on Sunday but it may abate in the coming days.

A young entrepreneur in Kurigram's Sadar upazila is reaping the benefits of orange farming, exemplifying self-reliance after completing his education. Abu Raihan Faruk, the enterprising youth, anticipates doubling his investment from selling a high-yield variety of oranges originating from China. Raihan, who finished his studies three years ago, chose entrepreneurship over job hunting. He started to cultivate various local and foreign fruits like mango, orange and grapes on his six-acre farm two and a half years ago. Recognizing the high demand for oranges in the local market, he focused on expanding his orange cultivation. Successful malta cultivation raises hope among farmers in Thakurgaon’s Ranishankail Starting with a single plant of the Chinese orange variety acquired from Bogura district, Raihan successfully grew 100 orange trees through graft cutting in just one and a half years. Encouraged by this success, he invested in commercial cultivation by dedicating two bigha of land to orange farming with an investment of Tk 20,000. Raihan found orange farming relatively hassle-free, requiring only compost fertilizer, pesticides, and anti-fungus spray for a healthy yield. He confidently expects to double his profits this year. He anticipates selling 15-20 maunds of oranges. The potential revenue from his orange harvest is estimated at Tk 80,000. Raihan also highlights the significant demand for oranges in Bangladesh, which currently relies on imports. He believes that local commercial cultivation could meet domestic needs and eventually lead to exporting oranges. Mohammad Kabir Hossain, a visitor to Raihan's orchard, is inspired by Raihan's success and plans to venture into orange farming himself. Biplab Kumar Mohonto, the deputy director of Kurigram's Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), acknowledged the novelty of orange cultivation in the district and offered support to Raihan. Returnee-migrant bets future on Malta farming in Rajshahi Raihan's journey illustrates how innovative agricultural practices can transform the livelihoods of young entrepreneurs and potentially reshape the agricultural landscape of districts like Kurigram.

A 35-year-old Bangladeshi national was shot dead allegedly by the members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Behularchar border in Rowmari upazila of Kurigram district on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Manik Mia, son of Abdul Baten of Shoulmari area. Local people said Manik along with 15-20 people went to 1062-2 S pillar of the bordering area at 12:30 am on Saturday. Read: 4-day BGB-BSF regional commander-level conference will begin tomorrow The BSF members from Kuchnimara camp opened fire on them, leaving Manik dead on the spot. However, local people managed to bring his body back. Rup Kumar Sarkar, officer-in-charge of Roumari Police Station, said police recovered the body of Manik and took it to the local police station. Read: BSF officials Sonali Mishra visits Hili border check post in Dinajpur Commanding officer of BGB-35, Lieutenant Colonel Mashruki, said they heard about the incident but he could not confirm it.

Waterlogging has become a never-ending problem for the residents of Horijon Polli in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram district, thanks to the lack of adequate measures of the local administration. Some 150 people of 30 families are going through untold suffering due to the waterlogging problem as the whole area has been submerged following the torrential rainfall and onrush of water from the upstream over the last week. Read more: Dhaka city corporations grapple with persistent waterlogging problem on multiple fronts During a recent visit to the Horijon Polli, at Sabujpara under Thanahat union, this correspondent found water all around and the residents of the area were seen fetching safe drinking water and food after wading through waist-deep water. Moni Lal, a local, said the whole area gets inundated even after little rain and residents of the area have been living in such a situation for the past one week. If the water increases further then they have to move to a safer place. Read more:Monsoon coming, no solution to Dhaka’s waterlogging in sight Besides, they did not receive any assistance from the authorities though eight days have passed, claimed the local people. Contacted, Rafiul Alam, Chilmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said a list is being prepared and the higher authorities concerned have been informed. Read more: Waterlogging turns severe in Chattogram after heavy rains for 3rd consecutive day

Teesta river's water level has surged 41 cm above the danger mark in Kurigram district, while water levels of Brahmaputra, Dudhkumar, and Dharla rivers are also on the rise. The escalating water levels have instilled fears of potential flooding among the residents living along the riverbanks.  Kurigram Water Development Board has forecast short-term flooding.  Teesta's water level crosses danger mark, triggers flooding in Lalmonirhat According to the district’s Water Development Board, Brahmaputra river's water level is currently 72 cm below the danger mark at the Nunkhawa point, 58 cm below the limit at the Chilmari point, and Dharla river's water level is 97 cm below the danger limit at the Kurigram Sadar point.  However, at Kaunia Point, Teesta river's water is surging 41 cm above the danger level.  Low-lying areas including Begumganj, Nayarhat, and Saheber Alga in the Ulipur upazila of the district have already been inundated due to the increased water levels.  Irrespective of whether the water level of Teesta river rises or decreases, erosion stays persistent and the residents of the riverside areas run from rising waters all year round.  Teesta erosion worsens in Kurigram; 50 homes swept away Md. Noor Alam, a resident of the Goraipia area near Teesta river, expressed his concerns about the rising water levels over the past few days, particularly for the paddy fields.  “Whether the water of the Teesta river rises or recedes, river erosion persists, and the year-round struggles of the Teesta Par community go unnoticed,” he lamented. Surman Ali from Khitab Khan village echoed the same and expressed distress over the continuous rain and rising water levels.  “The incessant rainfall coupled with the rising Teesta water has submerged our lives again, along with our cattles,” he said.  Abdullah Al Mamun, executive engineer of the Water Development Board, attributed the rising river water to heavy rainfall in India’s Assam and Arunachal.  Teesta flowing 20cm above danger level in Lalmonirhat, several hundred families stranded He said that the onrush of hill water and heavy rainfall in the region have caused the Teesta river's water level to surpass the danger level.  He also said that Brahmaputra river's water might reach the danger mark in the coming days.  While the forecast predicts short-term floods in certain areas of the district, including some unions of Ulipur and Chilmari upazilas, Mamun said that despite the water crossing danger levels, a major flood event is not likely to occur. Kurigram’s Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif said that comprehensive preparations have been undertaken to manage potential flood situations. All necessary arrangements, including food aid, rescue boats, and shelters, have been organized to ensure residents’ safety, he added. 

A woman died after being electrocuted at Char Paschimpara village in Kaunia of the Dantabhanga union of Rowmari upazila of Kurigram. Also read: Insufficient rain and rampant load shedding threats to Aman rice cultivation in Kurigram The deceased was Rasheda Khatun, 45, wife of Nekkar Hossain of the upazila. Also read: Kurigram road accident leaves three dead The incident happened when she went to check the charging status of an easybike at her house around 11:45 am on Friday. According to locals and police, Nekkar kept his easybike on charge with the electric line of the house as usual. But for some reason, the bike was electrified due to a problem with the wire. Rasheda went to the easybike to check it and got electrocuted. Also read: Kurigram road accident leaves three dead Later, she died on the way to Rowmari Upazila Health Complex. Dantabhanga Union Parishad Chairman Rezaul Karim confirmed the matter.

The flood situation in Kurigram district deteriorated further as water levels in all the major rivers in the region are rising rapidly. Abdullah Al Mamun, Executive Engineer of Kurigram Water Development Board, said the Dudhkumar river was flowing 42 cm above its danger level while the Dharla river was flowing 22 cm above the red mark. Besides, the water level of Teesta and Brahmaputra rivers is also increasing rapidly. Flood situation may worsen in low-lying areas of Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari: FFWC Due to the rise in the water level of all major rivers, the roads were submerged while flood water also entered houses, causing untold suffering to the dwellers, especially sanitation problems and creating a shortage of drinking water. Flood situation improves in Sunamganj; water levels of rivers fall According to the local administration, they are preparing a list of flood-affected areas, and food assistance has already been provided to 800 families in the area. The worsening flood situation may continue for 3-4 more days and then it may abate, said Engineer Abdullah. Flood situation in Netrokona’s low-lying areas may improve in 24 hours: FFWC

The Brahmaputra, Dharla, Teesta, and Dudhkumar rivers in Kurigram are witnessing a steady rise in water levels, leading to the trapping of approximately 12,000 families residing in low-lying areas across nine upazilas of the district. As a result, the plight of the flood-affected people has intensified, with the families in the Char areas suffering the most. Particularly in the Brahmaputra basin, they find themselves in dire distress as their homes remain submerged for five consecutive days. Many have been forced to abandon their houses and seek refuge on boats and elevated surfaces and face a scarcity of dry food and clean water. Also Read: Onrush of upstream water, rain trigger flood in Kurigram More than two hundred families, residing in ten chars including Purba Baladoba, Kalir Alga, Musarchar, and Sadar Char in the Brahmaputra river basin of Ulipur Upazila, have evacuated their homes and are currently living in inhospitable conditions aboard boats and elevated areas. These families are unable to cook meals properly. Moreover, they are grappling with a lack of access to dry food and clean water due to the submersion of tube wells. Adding to their woes, the communication system has been disrupted, severing the rural road network in the river basin. Additionally, approximately 100 hectares of land in the district have been inundated, resulting in submerged crops and posing difficulties for the flood-affected populace in providing fodder for their livestock. Also Read: Incessant rains trigger fear of flood in Sylhet Bangladesh Water Development Board’s Kurigram office said that water levels in all rivers of Kurigram remain below the danger level. As of noon, the Dudhkumar river's water level at the Pateshwari point is 4 cm below the danger level. Similarly, the Dharlar Setu point in Kurigram Sadar records a water level of 39 cm, Nunkhawa point on the Brahmaputra river at 55 cm, Chilmari point at 61 cm, and Kaunia point on the Teesta river at 89 cm, all below the danger level. Expressing his concerns, Abdur Rahman from Baladoba Char said that 49 families reside in the char. He said, "Most of the houses here are partially submerged in water. Many people are abandoning their homes and seeking shelter in elevated areas and boats. Due to the sinking of tube wells, clean water is scarce. Many individuals are compelled to survive on a single meal a day because cooking facilities are severely hampered." Also Read: Short-term flood likely in Sylhet, Sunamganj as rivers keep swelling  

Two children drowned in a canal in Alsiar area in Kurigram’s Rajarhat upazila early Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Mahadi, 13, son of Sajidul Islam, and Farabi, 12, son of Sohan Mia. As family members were not around, the two cousins drowned in the canal. Also Read: Tourist swept away by waves in Cox’s Bazar Locals found their bodies floating in the water. Abdullah Hil Zaman, officer-in-charge of Rajarhar police station, said their bodies were recovered but no complaint was lodged in this regard.  

Primary and secondary levels students in rural Bangladesh face manifold challenges in continuing their education and shortage of teachers is one of those that hampers regular their academic activities. Like many other places in the country, the academic activities at 366 government primary schools have been hampered seriously in absence of head teachers. There are 1,240 government primary schools in nine upazilas of the district and the posts of headmaster at 366 schools are lying vacant, according to District Education Office. Among these, assistant teachers have been working as acting head teacher at 234 schools but the rest schools have been operating without headmasters. Meanwhile, the assistant teachers who were performing the roles of head teacher are not getting the facilities the headmasters usually get and there is no one to look into it, forcing the teachers to continue their additional work with frustration. Nurjahan Begum, who recently got the responsibility of headmaster at Korimer Khamar Government Primary School in Sadar upazila, said “We have been performing our duties amid frustration.” During a recent visit to Muktaram Government Primary School in Sadar upazila, this correspondent found that the headmaster post of the school has been lying vacant for the past two years following the death of its headmaster. Read more: Teacher shortage hits govt primary schools in Cumilla hard Since then, no one has been appointed and no assistant teacher was made headmaster. A senior teacher of the school is performing the duty of the headmaster. Besides, five assistant teachers are available instead of nine which also hamper the academic activities, said an assistant teacher of the school, Nazneen Rebeka Sultana. Expressing dissatisfaction, Anwarul Islam, president of Muktaram Government Primary School managing committee, said “We have sent letters to the authorities concerned seeking fulfillment of the vacant posts but yet to get any response.” Read more: Gazette in six months to change names of 200 govt primary schools: State Minister Principal Salauddin Rubel, General Secretary of District Swadhinota Sikkhok Porishad (Swaship), said “The academic activities of different primary schools are facing setback due to manifold problems including shortage of teachers. The situation of primary schools in Char areas is fragile.” District Primary Education Officer Shahidul Islam, said the problem will be resolved as the higher authorities have been informed.