Day: May 25, 2024

Khulna City Corporation (KCC) mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque has said that the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam never differentiated religious views in his poetry and he was deadly against the racial segregation in his writings as well. The KCC mayor was addressing the inaugural function of a two-day long celebration programme of the 125th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam with the theme of 'Oshamprodayik Chetona ebong Nazrul' (Nazrul and his sense of communal harmony and secularism) at Khulna Shilpokola Academy here this evening as the chief guest. The mayor called for unity of all sections of people believes in the spirit of Bengali nationalism, secularism and the Bengali cultural conscience to fight extremism and religious militants. Speaking on the occasion as the guest of honour, the lawmaker of Khulna-3 constituency S M Kamal Hossain said that most of the poems of Nazrul are based on communal harmony and secularism along with inspiring the great Liberation War and all democratic move ments and struggles. He also urged all to hold Nazrul in their hearts and called the new generation to carry out research works on the poet Nazrul and practice his poetry. With the assistance of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Khulna District Administration organised the discussion and cultural programme. Chaired by Deputy Commissioner of Khulna Khandaker Yasir Arefin, Abul Fazal Associate Professor, Department of Bangla of Khulna University (KU), addressed as keynote speaker. Superintendent of Police Mohammad Saidur Rahman and ex-Commander of City unit Muktijoddha Command Council Professor Md. Alamgir Kabir addressed as special guests while General Secretary of Nazrul Academy Masud Mahmud delivered the welcome speech. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Integrated efforts of all the government and non-government organisations concerned can be the crucial means of preventing sexual harassment and cyber bullying. Civil societies and local government authorities should come forward and work together to free the society from the crime as it is being judged as a human rights violation at present. Academics and researchers came up with the observations while addressing a national dialogue seminar titled "Sexual Harassment at Educational Institutions and Workplaces: Reality and Way forward" here today. Rajshahi University (RU) sexual harassment prevention cell organised the seminar at RU Senate Bhaban. Vice-chancellor (VC) of Jagannath University Professor Sadequa Halim and RU Pro-VC Prof Sultan-ul-Islam addressed the seminar as the chief and special guests respectively with president of the cell Prof Tanjima Johra Habib in the chair. Judge of Rajshahi Divisional Cyber Tribunal Ziaur Rahman and its Special Public Prosecutor Advocate Ismat Ara, Prof Abdul Alim of the Department of Law and Prof Sadequa Banu of the Department of Psychology also spoke. Prof Sadequa Halim said the government has adopted various need-based initiatives to prevent women repression. She termed the involvement of technology as reality of the present era and there is no scope of remaining far away from the technology. But repression of women using the technology is totally unexpected. She also urged all quarters to remain cautious towards abuse of the technology together with positive use of it. Prof Sultan-ul-Islam told the meeting that the government has already taken some steps for preventing the crimes. Forging social resistance and waging a movement to end violence against women and children have become an urgent need for building themselves as worthy citizens. As a whole, all people should raise their voice and work together to address the social problem collectively as only the government or any other single organisation cannot bring any positive result in t his regard. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in its latest bulletin asked maritime ports of Payra and Mongla to keep hoisted danger signal number seven while it issued six for Chattogram and Cox's Bazar. The Met Office issued the signal number seven and six as deep depression has developed cyclone "Remal" over the Bay of Bengal that may hit Bangladesh by tomorrow evening. "The cyclonic storm 'Remal' is likely to hit southern districts of Bangladesh tomorrow," Tariful Newaz Kabir, meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) told BSS. "Under the influence of cyclone, Bangladesh, particularly its southern and southeastern regions may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall," Director General of Department of Disaster Management Mizanur Rahman said Referring to the data of the Met Office, he said as large size of radius of the cyclone has been developed and significant rainfall may occur in 19 costal districts side by side central parts of the country. As the cyclonic storm is approaching towards the coastal regions of Bangladesh, much of southern parts may witness rainfall from tonight, Mizanur added. He said the government has taken all necessary preparations to handle any destructive situation caused by the cyclone. The DG also said the authorities already directed all relevant organizations alongside involving 78,000 volunteers for launching massive evacuation drive to shift vulnerable populations to safer places. Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number three lowering distant cautionary signal number in the wake of the deep depression over the North Bay, a special weather bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said today. The deep depression over East central bay and adjoining west central bay moved northwards over the same area (near lat: 18.2on, lon: 89.8oe) and was centered at 12 noon today about 500 kms southwest of Chattogram port, 435 kms southwest of Cox's Bazer port, 475 kms south of Mongla po rt and 425 kms south of Payra port, it added. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately. The deep depression over eastcentral Bay of Bengal moved nearly northwards with a speed of 11 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centered at 12noon of 25th may, 2024 over the same region near latitude 18.2on and longitude 89.7oe, about 420 km south of Khepupara, about 420 km south-southeast of Sagar Islands (West Bengal) and 460 km south-southeast of canning ( West Bengal), according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). It is very likely to continue to move nearly northwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over Eastcentral and adjoining north bay of Bengal around May 25 evening. Continuing to move further northwards. It would intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by 26th may morning and cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara by May 26 midnight as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speed of 110-1 20 gusting to 135 kmph. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Chattogram District Administration has completed all preparations to face the impending severe cyclone ' Remal.' Over 2,000 cyclone shelter centers including 1,789 primary schools are being prepared in all coastal upazilas of the district. Meanwhile, the district administration in an emergency meeting on Saturday noon has taken up brisk preparations comprising all public utility departments and concerned agencies to cope with any eventuality of the cyclonic storm Remal. Different government organisations started awareness campaign through loud speaker and micking to leave the people from the coastal areas and take shelter in cyclone shelter centers. People of the coastal upazilas including Sandwip, Banskhali, Anowara, Sitakunda and Mirsari are expected to take shelter in those cyclone centers. Earlier, leaves of all officials, employees, doctors and nurses of the areas have been cancelled and kept ready standby to face any eventuality of the Remal, Abul Bashar Md Fakruzzaman, Deputy Commissioner of distr ict administration told journalists. A total of 284 medical teams with 5,000 health workers, adequate number of volunteers of the Red Crescent Society have been kept ready and district administration is monitoring round-the-clock in this regard, said A TM Pearul Islam, President of Chattogram Red Crescent Society. Meantime, Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has already stopped loading and unloading of goods from the vessels anchored both port jetties and its outer anchorage from 6 pm this evening in the backdrop of the cyclonic storm that formed over east central Bay. CPA has sent all the ships of NCT, CCT to outer anchorage to reduce the damage due to the fear of cyclone. All lighter vessels have also been removed from the port channel, Port secretary Omar Faruk said. Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Reazaul Karim Chowdhury has communicated continuously about the preparation and for latest updates with the officials of the met office in Chattogram, Chattogram Port Authority, district administration, Chattogram Civil Surgeon, Chattogram City Corporation and Red Crescent Society. The met office directed the Chattogram and Cox's Bazar danger signal No. 6 on Saturday night as the severe cyclonic storm Remal is nearing the Bangladesh coasts. Chattogram Port has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number six covering Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars. The bulletin asked all fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea to remain in shelter till further notice. CPA, district administration, Chattogram Civil Surgeon, Chattogram City Corporation and Red Crescent Society have separately opened up control rooms to monitor the pre and post cyclonic storm Remal. Adequate number of vehicles of Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) is prepared to respond to any emergency call, the CCC sources said. The ward councilors are working in the areas to aware people and are also coordinating different voluntary organizations and non government organizations to face probable consequence of the cyclone. All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have already taken shelter in the bank of Karnaphuli River. Cyclone Remal, currently located around 495 kilometre South-Southwest of Piyra port and advancing towards the coast at a speed of 15 km, will cross Patuakhali tomorrow (May 26, 2024) night, the met office said. Under the peripheral effect of the cyclone, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh are likely to experience gusty or squally winds of 60-70 kph in addition to heavy to very heavy rainfall. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

Climate experts at a seminar in the city opined that the continuous heatwave in Bangladesh in April this year has broken a 76-year record for high temperatures, affecting all sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, livestock and health. BRAC's Climate Change Programme organized the seminar on Thursday at Renaissance Hotel to inform and sensitise policymakers, academics, media and civil society on the science-policy-practice nexus of heatwaves, said a press release. BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh chaired the seminar while Dr. Farhina Ahmed, secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, was present as the chief guest. The seminar was told that boro paddy cultivation is particularly threatened by the hot weather. Mango buds have fallen, and there has been a 25 per cent loss in milk, egg, and meat production. Comprehensive preparations should be made to deal with such extreme weather conditions. Scientists express concern that extreme climate change events will increase and there is no immediate solution. Dr. Farhina Ahmed said, "We are working on incorporating the health aspect of climate change into the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). Specific actions and interventions related to the effect of heatwaves on health shall be undertaken so our healthcare systems can be better prepared to tackle these issues. We also need to build capacity and awareness among diverse groups in the population so that citizens are better equipped to combat the effects of extreme heatwaves." She added, "We need to prepare our engineers and architects to develop infrastructure and designs that emphasise nature-based solutions. We must retrofit our current infrastructure and bring in new technologies to reduce heat generation." She appreciated BRAC for organising such a timely discussion. In his closing remark Asif Saleh said, "Marginalised communities are the most vulnerable to any type of disaster. We saw it during COVID-19, during the economic crisis, and in the impacts of climate change. Those who do not ha ve a voice and those who have no one to listen to them are most at risk. Unfortunately, marginalised communities are suffering the most for something they are not responsible for." He lauded policymakers, particularly the Prime Minister and the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change who are advocating globally not just for Bangladesh but for all the climate-vulnerable countries. "However, there is still a long way to go to achieve just climate financing for climate adaptation," he said. Bushra Afreen, Chief Heat Officer at Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), remarked, "The city of Dhaka was never built with heat resilience in mind. With very limited resources and keeping sustainability in mind, we must all work together and enact the commitments we make." Presenting research on the heatwave, Dr. Md. Liakath Ali, Director of the Climate Change Programme, Urban Development Programme, and Disaster Risk Management Programme at BRAC, said, "According to media sources, nationwide Boro rice product ion may decrease 6-16 per cent, and 30 per cent of mango bud fell off due to prolonged drought followed by heatwaves." "Moreover, the poultry industry lost Taka 200 crore in recent two weeks of heatwaves. The estimated loss of dairy products (milk, eggs, and meat) was 25 per cent. Labour-intensive sectors suffer an output loss of BDT 50,000 crore in Dhaka City alone. Dhaka is losing USD 6 billion worth of labour productivity per year due to heat stress. As a result, by 2030, Bangladesh could lose 5 per cent of its total productivity, equivalent to nearly 4 million full-time jobs, and experience GDP losses of up to 4.9 per cent," he added. Dharitri Kumar Sarkar, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Dr. Md. Shameem Hassan Buiyan, Deputy Director and Dr. Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik, Meteorologist, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD); and Dr. A.K.M. Saiful Islam, Professor, Institute of Water and Flood Management at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology ( BUET), actively participated in the discussion session. The welcome and introductory remarks at the event were delivered by Tapas Ranjan Chakraborty, Senior Programme Manager, Climate Change Programme at BRAC. The press release said BRAC's Climate Change Programme, in collaboration with MIT has initiated a flagship project titled, 'Jameel Observatory-CREWSnet' to help mitigate the risks posed by climate change and help prepare for its ongoing impacts. The project aims to empower communities and institutions by communicating projected climate information and enhancing data-driven proactive decision-making. 'Jameel Observatory-CREWSnet' seeks to bridge the gap between the knowledge about climate change created at research institutions such as MIT and the local farming communities that are adapting to its impacts. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha