Rain is lashing various parts of Bangladesh, including the capital Dhaka, since this morning, Tuesday (July 8). While some areas are experiencing light drizzles, others are witnessing heavy downpours, leading to waterlogging and increased public inconvenience. However, these rains have also brought a noticeable drop in temperature. The Meteorological Department announced this morning that such rain is likely to continue for several more days, with the possibility of increased rainfall.

According to data released by the Meteorological Department this morning, light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, are expected in most places of Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. Many areas of Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions are also likely to experience similar weather. Furthermore, moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in some parts of Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions.

A comprehensive weather observation indicates that a low-pressure area is currently situated over Gangetic West Bengal and its adjoining areas. The axis of the monsoon trough extends from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, the center of the low-pressure area, and southern Bangladesh, up to Assam. An extended part of this axis stretches into the North Bay of Bengal. The monsoon is active over the southern part of Bangladesh, fairly active elsewhere, and strong over the North Bay of Bengal.

The department also stated that the daytime temperature across the country may slightly decrease, while nighttime temperatures are likely to remain almost unchanged. The amount of rainfall is expected to increase over the next five days.

In the 24-hour period leading up to 6:00 AM today, the highest temperature was recorded in Dimla, Nilphamari, at 35.2 degrees Celsius. During the same period, the highest rainfall was recorded in Cox’s Bazar, with 155 millimeters.

The National Citizen’s Party (NCP) is continuing its nationwide ‘July March’ campaign under the slogan, “We want a non-discriminatory, corruption-free, and democratic Bangladesh.” As part of this initiative, central leaders of the NCP are visiting Meherpur today, Monday (July 8).

NCP Convener Nahid Islam is scheduled to arrive in Meherpur today. He will be accompanied by a delegation of central leaders, including Chief Organizer Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam.

According to party sources, the march is set to commence around 12:00 PM from the Khalishakundi area of Gangni Upazila in Meherpur. Following a street meeting in Gangni Bazar, the delegation will proceed to Meherpur city. A rally will be held at 5:00 PM at Shahid Shamsuzzoha Park, where Nahid Islam will deliver the main address as the chief guest.

After the march and rally, the party delegation will visit various important establishments and monuments in Mujibnagar Upazila. They are also scheduled to inaugurate the NCP’s Mujibnagar Upazila office. The delegation will spend the night in Meherpur and, after an exchange of views with local party activists on Wednesday morning, will depart the district.

The NCP’s Meherpur district committee has already completed preparations for this district-level event. The party has called upon people from all walks of life and media personnel to spontaneously participate in the march.

Advocate S.M. Shakil Ahmed, Joint Chief Coordinator of the NCP’s National Committee, stated, “This NCP march is not merely a party promotion; rather, we have taken to the streets to convey the voice of the people to the people themselves.”

A shadow of sorrow has fallen over Kamarkhola village in Chandina, Cumilla. This is the story of Mahbub Alam Rubel, a farmer by profession and the president of his local Krishi Dal ward unit. His life seemed to follow a straight path until a web of old debt and a lawsuit ensnared him.

On Saturday (June 28), Rubel, 41, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Cumilla Medical College Hospital. Allegations have surfaced that his ‘suicide’ was driven by relentless pressure from local BNP leader Gazi Hasan Mahmud Hanif.

The story begins further back—in 2001, Rubel separated from his brother, Mofiz. Then, in 2016, Mofiz and Hanif engaged in a financial transaction involving fish feed. When Mofiz couldn’t repay the money, he eventually left the village for a relative’s house in Barguna, where he tragically died of a heart attack on August 5, 2024.

But the narrative took a dark turn after Mofiz’s death. Hanif targeted Rubel to recover his outstanding debt and filed a lawsuit against him in court. Rubel’s wife, Rehena Begum, alleges that for the past 15 days, Hanif had been exerting such immense pressure that Rubel couldn’t even leave the house. A barrage of threats, fear of more lawsuits—even money for household groceries became scarce.

Under this unbearable pressure, Rubel seemingly sought his last refuge. On Saturday morning at around 9:30 AM, he consumed poison at his home. But his final words were preserved in a mobile phone recording. In it, Rubel spoke of Hanif’s ‘torture,’ even mentioning Hanif’s pressure to file false cases against Awami League members. He stated in the recording that he sought justice from various respectable individuals, including the Chandina Upazila BNP President, but found no remedy. He also mentioned someone named ‘Farid’ as the ‘mastermind’ behind these events. Rubel’s last plea was for the police to conduct a fair investigation into the incident.

Although the accused Hanif has denied the allegations against him, and the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chandina Police Station stated that they have not yet received any formal complaint, this incident has cast a profound question mark over Kamarkhola village and indeed, all of Chandina. Is this tragic end for an innocent farmer merely the result of debt pressure, or does it hide a deeper political or social context? The full truth may only emerge after a thorough investigation.