Country News

Light to moderate rain or thundershowers likely

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) today forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over the country for the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today. " Light to moderate rain or thundershowers with lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind is likely to occur at many places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with moderately heavy to heavy falls at places over the country," it said. Trough of low lies over West Bengal and adjoining area while seasonal low lies over the South Bay. Besides, day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country, the forecast added. Countrys maximum temperature on Thursday was recorded 36.2 degrees Celsius in Khulna while todays minimum temperature 19.5 degrees Celsius was recorded at Saidpur. The sun sets at 06:21 pm today and rises at 05:34 am tomorrow in the capital.

Proper implementation of SDGs at local levels stressed

Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division of the Ministry of Planning Aleya Akter has said successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires its proper implementation at local levels. "The overall development of the country is possible if the goals can be effectively implemented in accordance with the regional needs and capabilities at each district, upazila and village levels," she said. The secretary made the observation as the chief guest while addressing a seminar titled "Localization of SDGs" held at the conference room of the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner on Thursday. Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md. Shahidul Islam presided over the event. The Rangpur Divisional Statistics Office organised the seminar participated by government officials and employees, NGO workers and local journalists. Lecturer at Rangpur Begum Rokeya University Deepika Biswas delivered the keynote address. On the occasion, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Director General Mohammad Md Mizanur Rahman, Rangpur Range DIG Md Aminul Islam and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md. Majid Ali delivered speeches as special guests. The chief guest said the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations are working as a collective framework for development for all of us. "The coordinated efforts between local administration, public representatives, and civil society are crucial for successful implementation of SDGs at the local level. This collaboration ensures that the SDGs are not just national priorities, but also locally relevant and effectively translated into action at the grassroots.," she added.

Over 200 underprivileged children receive free medical services in Mongla

Bangladesh Coast Guard today organized a free medical campaign in the Mongla area providing over 200 underprivileged children free medical services and medicines here. The free medical support campaign was conducted by the Coast Guards Western Zone in the Joymonighol area under Mongla Police Station. Medical Officer Surgeon Lt. Commander Maksuda Jahan, AMC, led the campaign. Two representatives from the Military Support Element of the U.S. Embassy observed the medical campaign. “In addition to healthcare services, the Coast Guard held awareness sessions for local fishermen to prevent illegal fishing, drug and human trafficking, use of unauthorized fishing nets, protecting forest resources and ensure safety on waterways,” Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Md. Siam Ul Haque told BSS. Representatives from local administration, the Forest Department, public officials and community members attended the awareness session.

Super bumper Boro rice production likely in Rangpur region

Farmers in Rangpur agricultural region are expecting a super bumper Boro rice harvest this season, thanks to excellent Boro rice plant growth amid frequent rains and almost no pest attacks, according to agriculture officials. With necessary support from the government, farmers have cultivated Boro rice on more land than the fixed target, despite ongoing crop diversification, said the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Earlier, the DAE had set an all-time record target of producing 22,94,195 tonnes of clean Boro rice (34,41,292 tonnes of paddy) from 5,08,978 hectares of land for Rangpur agricultural region during the current Rabi season. "Farmers have finally brought 5,09,056 hectares of land under Boro rice farming slightly exceeding the seasonal target," Director of the DAEs Rangpur region agriculturist Md. Afzal Hossain told BSS today. If favorable weather continues over the next few months, farmers will get a bumper harvest of Boro rice as rice plants are currently growing healthily and frequent rains are working as a tonic across the region, he added. During a visit to the vast crop fields on Thursday, farmers were seen very busy taking care of their growing Boro rice plants and cleaning weeds in the region. To make the Boro rice cultivation program a success, the DAE and other agriculture-related organizations and institutions are working tirelessly to provide the farmers with proper irrigation, fuel, fertilizer and electricity supply, and other facilities. To boost Boro rice yield at lower costs and reduce underground water extraction, a target has been fixed to bring 1,01,811 hectares of Boro rice croplands under the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation method. In addition, targets have been fixed to bring 50,906 hectares of land under the use of compost fertilisers, 3,05,434 hectares under use of balanced fertilisers, 5,09,056 hectares under the perching and 10,240 hectares under the light trap methods of pests management. Around 4.9 percent of the Boro rice plants are currently in the tillering stage, 25.23 percent in the panicle initiation stage, 30.90 percent in the booting stage, 34.79 percent in the flowering stage, 4.86 percent in the milking stage, and 0.12 percent in the ripening stage, all growing superbly in the crop fields. By adopting the eco-friendly perching method, farmers have set up bamboo poles or tree branches at regular intervals across 3,92,830 hectares of Boro rice fields. This allows birds to roost on them and feed on harmful insects, helping farmers naturally combat pest attacks. "In the light trap method, farmers have placed pots filled with a mixture of water and detergent underneath a light source on 2,345 hectares of Boro rice fields. Being attracted by the reflection of light at night, harmful insects fall into the pots and die," the sources said. Speaking to BSS, farmers Lokman Hossain Manik Mian, Azizul Islam, and Ariful Haque from the village of Najirdigar in Rangpur Sadar mentioned that they have made every effort to care for their growing Boro rice plants, aiming for a bumper harvest. Farmer Mofizar Rahman from the village of Dolapara in Taraganj upazila, Rangpur, thanked the interim government for ensuring a smooth supply of fertilizers, pesticides, diesel, power, and other essential facilities for the success of the Boro rice farming program. "The tender Boro rice plants, currently in the tillering, panicle initiation, booting, and flowering stages, are growing wonderfully in the favorable climatic conditions, predicting a super bumper production of the crop," Mofizar said.

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