Helemul Alam

Dhaka's persistent waterlogging is driven by fragmented management, the lack of an integrated master plan, unchecked urbanisation, and the steady disappearance of wetlands and canals, according to experts.

A large number of buildings across Bangladesh -- particularly older ones -- were not designed to withstand earthquakes, as they were constructed without fully complying with the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC), experts warned.

Year after year the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has been battling to keep the airspace surrounding Dhaka's airports clean of buildings that exceed the height limit.

The government has unveiled a Tk 32,554 crore plan to strengthen Dhaka's water security by developing five large reservoirs around the capital to reduce dependence on rapidly depleting groundwater.

Despite being an earthquake-prone country, Bangladesh remains poorly prepared for a major seismic event, experts warn.

Dengue infections and deaths rose sharply in July, raising fears that the outbreak could worsen in the coming months unless the authorities adopt a coordinated nationwide mosquito control strategy.

The government has announced a series of measures to restore Dhaka's rivers and waterways, including preventing pollution, improving drainage, maintaining navigability and exploring private-sector operation of water bus services.

The DENV-3 serotype has become the dominant strain of the dengue virus in Bangladesh this year, replacing DENV-2, which was the most prevalent last year, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

Dhaka division has emerged as the country's dengue hotspot, recording 6,871 cases, including 4,404 infections in Dhaka city alone this year.

With 1,156 dengue patients hospitalised as of yesterday, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital has topped the list of hospitals treating dengue patients this year, followed by Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Mugda Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital.