Helemul Alam

Traffic congestions in different parts of Dhaka meant the capital returned to its usual self yesterday after almost a week of violence, along with curfew and a three-day general holiday.

Anti-mosquito drives have either remained completely suspended in some areas or been slowed down since the recent unrest in the country centring the quota reform protests.

The interim government yesterday decided to give chief executive officers full administrative and financial power to run the city corporations where mayors and panel mayors are absent.

Mohammad Atique, a resident of Gandaria, has been visiting the local councillor's office for the last several days as he needs a citizenship certificate for his son.

Taqsem A Khan resigned as the managing director of Dhaka Wasa on Wednesday after being at the helm of the state-owned agency for nearly 15 years marked by many allegations of irregularities.

At least 18 dengue patients have died in the first 17 days of August, the highest monthly death toll in 2024 so far.

The interim government yesterday removed all mayors of 12 city corporations and 1,873 public representatives at the four other tiers of local government.

Amid a dearth of local government representatives, anti-mosquito campaigns have become irregular which according to experts may lead to a deadly dengue outbreak very soon.

A total of 19 dengue patients died in the first 11 days of September, including five on Tuesday, painting a grim picture this year as well.

The dengue outbreak is becoming deadlier as at least 5,200 people were hospitalised and 20 died of the mosquito-borne disease in the first 12 days of this month.