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Bangladesh-India hold discussions on BIMSTEC
RTV News
06 Jul 2023, 20:01
Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) of Bangladesh Ambassador Masud Bin Momen held discussions on BIMSTEC issues with Secretary (East) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. Saurabh Kumar today at the state guest house, Padma. Mr. Kumar arrived Dhaka today in the morning.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mr. Pranay Kumar Verma was also present during the meeting.
Foreign Secretary Momen noted that as a founding member of BIMSTEC, Bangladesh is committed to deepening relations with the member states of BIMSTEC in all aspects and moving forward in materializing the objectives of this regional organization.
He also noted that Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an ardent proponent of the BIMSTEC process, which is manifested in hosting the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka.
He reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to strengthening the BIMSTEC Secretariat by all possible means.
Secretary (East) of MEA thanked the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh for receiving him and generous hospitality extended to the Indian delegation by the Government of Bangladesh.
He expressed India’s willingness to work together with Bangladesh to make BIMSTEC a most effective and dynamic organization.
Both sides agreed to intensify their efforts in achieving tangible progress in the field of trade and investment, connectivity, energy security, and climate change for ensuring shared peace and prosperity in the Bay of Bengal region.
Both sides also discussed the ways and means of moving forward the BIMSTEC Process and make it a vibrant and successful organization.
After the meeting, the Foreign Secretary hosted a luncheon in honour of the Indian MEA’s Secretary (East). He will depart tomorrow morning.
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Flood in Feni, people plunge into darkness
Eight districts of the country, including Feni and Noakhali, were hit by heavy rains and severe floods due to India's upstream waters. One after another area is drowning as water seeps in at high speed through the flood control dams of the Muhuri, Kahuya and Silonia rivers.
It has been reported that since Monday night, the floodwaters have damaged power lines, leading to widespread power outages in most areas of the Parashuram, Fulgazi, and Chhagalnaiya Upazilas.
Over 350,000 people in the district are now marooned and have been suffering immensely without electricity.
On Wednesday (August 21) night, Feni's Rural Electrification Board’s General Manager, Haoladar Mohammad Fazlur Rahman, stated that out of the 400,000 customers in the district, over 300,000 are currently without electricity.
Feni Electricity Development Board Executive Engineer Hossain Mahmud Shamim Farhad said, 'About 70 percent of our customers are without electricity. In various areas of the city, meters have been damaged due to water entering the ground floor of the buildings, so the electricity connection will remain off until the water recedes. Connectivity is unlikely to be restored before the flood waters recede.'
It is known that the heavy rains of the last three days and the landslides that came down from the upstream of India have caused a humanitarian disaster.
In this direction, the local administration and various voluntary organizations have entered the field with relief assistance for the flood victims. Members of the Army, BGB Coast Guard, Fire Service are active in rescue operations.
Bengal Commercial Bank holds Board of Directors meeting
Bengal Commercial Bank plc held its 32nd meeting on Wednesday (August 21).
Bengal Commercial Bank's Chairman presided over the meeting at head office in capital's Gulshan area.
Vice Chairman Alhaj Mahbubul Alam and Engineer Golam Mohammed Alomgir along with other directors, Managing Director and Chief Executive Tarik Morshed, Additional Managing Director, Deputy Managing Director and Company Secretary also participated in the meeting.
9 districts affected by severe floods
Nine districts of the country, including Feni, Noakhali, and Cumilla, were hit by heavy rains and flash floods due to the upper streams of India. Many areas drowning as water seeps in at high speed through the flood control dams of Muhuri, Kahuya, and Silonia rivers.
Most of the people of these districts are in trouble due to knee-to-waist level water in their houses. Apart from this, all the rural roads and croplands have been submerged in the flood water. Ponds and farm fish have been washed away.
The flood-affected districts are Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Lakshmipur, and Khagrachari.
Cumilla
King Bajehura village has been submerged in Gomti river water at Burichong in Cumilla. About 700 families have become waterlogged. The local administration is working. Apart from this, on Wednesday afternoon, a bridge over Gomoti River collapsed due to a strong stream in the wooden bridge area near Asmania Bazar of Titas Upazila.
Feni
According to the reports received so far, the worst flood situation is in three upazilas of Feni, Parashuram, Fulgazi, and Chhagalnaiya. Hundreds of villages of these three upazilas have been flooded, millions of people trapped in water. Volunteers have started bringing the stranded people to the shelter. Fire service also came to the rescue operation.
Noakhali
Out of the nine upazilas of Noakhali, waterlogging has become evident in eight. Hundreds of fish and chicken farms, and paddy and vegetable fields were washed away. Trees were broken by the wind. Some areas have been left without power due to uprooted electricity poles. The Met Office has recorded 158 mm rainfall in the district in the last 24 hours.
Lakshmipur
Several days of continuous rain and abnormal upstream tide have submerged 40 low-lying areas including four municipalities in Lakshmipur. From the morning of August 21, abnormal tidal water in the Meghna started entering the locality. About four and a half lakh residents were trapped in it.
Chattogram
The entire Fatikchari upazila of Chattogram has been submerged underwater. About 100,000 people are trapped in water. Apart from this, about eight unions of Raozan upazila and 10 unions of Hathazari upazila have been flooded.
Moulvibazar
With continuous rain in Moulvibazar, water is coming from India at a rapid speed through mountain ranges and rivers. The waters of the Manu River are flowing 118 cm above the boundary line. The waters of the other three main rivers Dhalai, Juri, and Kushiara are flowing over the danger level. In various places of Kulaura and Juri upazilas, the dams of the rivers broke and overflowed which flooded 62 villages.
Sunamganj
The rain in Sunamganj and the water of other rivers including Surma in the upstream hills is increasing. The water in the Surma river rose by 12 cm on Wednesday. Water continues to rise. Rivers are already full to the brim. Therefore, it is feared that a flood situation may occur if the water rises.
Khagrachari
The 40-year-old bridge of Singinala village collapsed in Khagrachari due to continuous rains and landslides over the last few days. The road communication system of Mobachari Union with Mahalchhari has been closed.
Meanwhile, the road communication between Khagrachari and Sajek, Longadu, and Baghaichari in Rangamati has also been closed due to the floods caused by the landslides.
About five thousand families are still underwater in the district.
Habiganj
Due to continuous heavy rains and downpours from the Indian state of Tripura, the water of the Khawai River in Habiganj is flowing over the boundary line. The water flowed over 195 cm at Machulia point of the Khoai River on Wednesday at 5 pm. In such a situation, the city defense embankment is at risk.
New time schedule for Metro Rail movement
The capital's public transport, the metro rail will operate on a regular schedule from Sunday (August 25).
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) announced the new Metro Rail schedule on Saturday (August 24).
Earlier, DMTCL had informed that the metro rail was run on a trial basis on Thursday and Friday. It did not show any problem with the line. Working on some technical issues. Although the metro rail will start next Sunday, Kazipara and Mirpur-10 stations will be closed for the time being due to the need for repairs and renovations.
It is to be noted that during the quota reform movement, the police box was set on fire at Mirpur-10 roundabout on July 18. The authorities stopped the movement of metro rail at 5 pm that day.
Flood situation improves in 5 districts including Feni
The flood situation in 5 districts including Feni begins to improve due to absence of significant rainfall in Tripura and receding water in upstream rivers.
Flood Forecasting and Warning Center announced this information in a circular on Sunday (August 25) morning.
It is said that the water level of the main rivers in the northeastern, eastern and southeastern regions of the country begins to decrease. In the last 24 hours, no significant rainfall was observed in eastern Cumilla, Brahmanbaria and Feni districts bordering Indian Tripura and inland basins of Tripura province and water levels in upstream rivers continued to recede. As a result, the existing flood situation in the lower areas of Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Feni, Cumilla and Chattogram districts continues to improve.
'There is no possibility of heavy rainfall in the north-eastern region of the country and adjacent upstream in the next 24 hours. At this time, the water level of the Manu, Khoai, Dhalai rivers in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts of the northeastern region may decrease and the flood situation in the adjacent low-lying areas may continue to improve.
However, moderate to heavy rains are likely to held over eastern and adjoining uplands of the country. At this time, the water level of the Gomti river in Cumilla district and the flood situation in the adjacent low-lying areas may remain stable.
The notification also said that there is a possibility of heavy rainfall in the south-eastern region of the country and adjacent upstream in the next 24 hours. At this time, the water of Bandarban, Khagrachari, Cox's Bazar and Sangu, Matamuhuri, Karnaphuli Halda and other major rivers of Chattogram district may increase during flat periods.
Apart from this, the water level of Brahmaputra-Jamuna river is decreasing, while the water level of Ganga-Padma river is stable, which may continue for the next 48 hours. At the same time, the water level of the Surma-Kushiara river in the northeastern part of the country is stable, which is likely to continue for the next 24 hours.
According to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, the water level of Teesta, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers in the northern part of the country is generally stable, normal flow of these rivers may prevail in the next 48 hours.
Chief Advisor to address the nation in Evening
Interim Government Chief Advisor Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will address the nation. It is reported that the speech will be broadcast simultaneously from BTV, BTV World and BTV Chattogram Centre.
The speech is scheduled to be delivered on Sunday (August 25) at 7:30 pm. The Office of the Chief Counsel confirmed this information.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and went to India on the day of the 'Long March to Dhaka' program of the anti-discrimination student movement on August 5. After that, the Twelfth National Parliament was dissolved. Later, the interim government was formed in response to the demands of the students.
Nobel Prize winning Economist Dr Muhammad Yunus. The brightest star of Bangladesh. A social entrepreneur, banker, economist, organizer and civil society leader. He became the chief advisor of the interim government at student request.
Gazi Tyres: Fire quenched after 32 hours, fears to collapse
After 32 hours of effort, the fire at the Gazi Tyres factory in Narayanganj’s Rupganj has finally been extinguished on Tuesday (August 27) morning. However, the fire service fears the building may collapse at any moment.
Assistant Director of Fire Service and Civil Defense Anwarul Haque told the media 'The fire was completely extinguished around 5 am on Tuesday. However, the condition of the building is fragile; Bent in the heat. So they will start the rescue operation after observing the situation.
This fire service official said, 'After an extensible effort, it has been possible to extinguish the flames, but there is still a lot of heat inside the building. Small fires are still burning.'
'The building has started to lean and its condition is dangerous. Some places inside have burnt to dust. It is not possible to go inside and work. We only have access up to the stairs on the ground floor.'
The Fire Service official said that a search was conducted on the roof of the building with the help of a turn table ladder (TTL).
He also said that no one was found injured in any part of the roof and it was not possible to enter inside the building. As the fire has been extinguished, rescue operations will be started inside, after everything taken into account.
Gazi Tires factory is located on the eastern side of the Dhaka-Sylhet highway, which manufactures car tires of the country's largest industrial group, Gazi Group. The owner of the factory is Golam Dastagir Gazi, former Textile and Jute Minister. He was arrested from a house in Dhaka's Shantinagar area in the early hours of Sunday.
Once news of his arrest spread, some locals from Rupganj gathered people through announcements made from the megaphone at the mosque. The group then attacked the Gazi Tyres factory and looted it.
After looting throughout the day, a fire was started around 9 pm. The blaze was eventually brought under control around 7:05 pm on Monday, according to Fire Service Director Lt Col Rezaul Karim.
The families of local residents claim that at least 175 people have gone missing since the looting began on Sunday.
Many spent the whole of Monday in front of the factory in search of their missing loved ones. The Fire Service and Civil Defence have collected the names of the missing from them
