The depression area located in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a clear low pressure area. It may further intensify and turn into a cyclone on Wednesday (October 23) or Thursday (October 24). Due to this, the Meteorological Department has forecast rain in all divisions of the country.

This was stated in the weather forecast for the next 72 hours on Monday (October 21).

It is said that rain/thunderstorm may occur in some places in the capital Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Rajshahi divisions and in one or two places in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions.

The day temperature may decrease slightly across the country and the night temperature may increase by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, a warning issued by the Meteorological Office on Monday (October 21) said that if the low pressure develops into a cyclone, it will be named 'Dana'. This name was given by Qatar.

The warning states that all fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay of Bengal and deep sea have been asked to approach the coast with caution until further notice so that they can go to safe shelter at short notice.

According to the cyclone alert of the meteorological agency, a low pressure will form in the sea on October 23. It will turn into a strong cyclone by October 23 or 24.

If the cyclone hits any coast of Barishal and Khulna divisions, its speed may be 100-120 km per hour. If the cyclone hits the coast during high tide, there is a risk of flooding in the coastal areas of Satkhira, Khulna and Bagerhat districts with a tidal surge of 6 to 8 feet higher than normal.

On the other hand, if this cyclone hits Odisha in India, its speed may be 130-150 kilometers per hour. The West Bengal Meteorological Department said that the sea has already become rough in Odisha and West Midnapore. The Meteorological Department has predicted rain in several districts of South Bengal from Tuesday. The administration has banned fishermen from going to sea for three days from Wednesday. It is expected to intensify into a strong cyclone in the east-central Bay of Bengal on the 23rd. If this happens, several areas of South Bengal including Kolkata are expected to be flooded.

In addition, the West Bengal government has ordered people to be evacuated from coastal areas and low-lying areas to safer places.

Meanwhile, tomorrow's (Wednesday) weather forecast says that most places in Khulna and Barishal divisions and some places in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions may experience rain/thunderstorms.

Day and night temperatures across the country may decrease by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius.

The probability of precipitation may decrease during extended 5 (five) day weather conditions.

The Netherlands is ready to provide technical assistance to implement the reform program of the interim government of Bangladesh, said Dutch Ambassador to Dhaka Irma van Dooren.

This was stated in a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (October 21).

It further said that the outgoing Ambassador gave this assurance during a farewell courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Md. Jasim Uddin at the State Guest House Padma on Sunday.

During the meeting, the Ambassador also expressed the increased interest of Dutch companies in expanding business relations with Bangladesh, especially in the water, maritime and agricultural sectors.

Both sides discussed the multifaceted bilateral cooperation between the two countries spanning various fields including water, agriculture, trade and investment, climate change, defense and women's empowerment.

They also mentioned the fruitful bilateral meeting between the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh and the Dutch Prime Minister on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York last month.

The Foreign Secretary congratulated the Dutch Ambassador on the successful completion of his assignment in Bangladesh and the Ambassador thanked the Secretary for all the support received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh in the discharge of his duties.

Following the courtesy call, the Foreign Secretary hosted a luncheon in honor of the outgoing Ambassador.

Among others, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the Ambassador of Morocco, the Ambassadors of India, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Italy, Argentina, Spain, Norway, the European Union, France and Egypt, the Resident Representative of UNDP and the Deputy Chief of Mission of Denmark attended the luncheon.

Sarjis Alam has been appointed as the General Secretary of July Shaheed Smriti Foundation. In addition, Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer.

This information was given through a notification on Monday (October 21).

The notification said that in the 2nd meeting of the Executive Council of July Shaheed Smriti Foundation, Mr. Sarjis Alam was appointed as the General Secretary and Mr. Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer.

The notification further mentioned that the main objective of this foundation is to provide financial and humanitarian assistance to the families of the martyrs of the student-public movement held in July-August 2024, employment or any other suitable facility, and necessary medical services including medicines to the injured or disabled persons, employment, financial and humanitarian assistance or any other suitable facility for the welfare of the martyrs.

At the same time, it is a non-political, voluntary and public welfare non-governmental organization approved by the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

It is worth noting that the first meeting of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation was chaired by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. In addition, it was decided to provide Tk. 5 lakh to the families of the martyrs of the movement and Tk. 1 lakh to the families of the injured in this meeting.

Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus said that the current interim government is making all-out efforts to ensure safe roads.

He said this in a message given on Monday on the occasion of ‘National Safe Road Day-2024’ tomorrow (October 22).

‘National Safe Road Day 2024’ is being celebrated across the country tomorrow in the new Bangladesh, which was achieved through the sacrifices of students, workers and the public. This year, the theme of the day is – ‘The pledge of students, workers and the public, let there be safe roads for all’.

Muhammad Yunus said, "Challenging the failure of traditional road management, the current interim government is making every effort to ensure safe roads in order to fulfill the expectations of the mass movement of students demanding safe roads that took place in 2018."

He said, if road transport owners and workers can understand the risks that defective motor vehicles, inefficient drivers without driving licenses and illegal vehicles pose to road safety and come out of it, it will be much easier to fulfill the expectations of safe roads.

The Chief Advisor said, it is possible to make the concept of safe roads a reality if the government, private organizations, voluntary organizations, teachers, owners, drivers, pedestrians, guardians, and everyone in society, regardless of party affiliation, come forward with a commitment to build a 'New Bangladesh' by utilizing the unprecedented unity among the young generation and the general public.

In his message, he wished for the overall success of the program undertaken on the occasion of 'National Safe Road Day-2024'.