Dhaka, April 25 -- BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Thursday voiced serious concerns over the scorching heatwave gripping the city and the emergence of profound environmental degradation, alleging that Dhaka is gradually turning into an artificial desert due to encroachment of water bodies.

"Dhaka has turned into a city lined with bricks and stones. Grass and trees are now rarely seen here. The biggest problem is that Dhaka city has now become an artificial desert," he said.

AL retains power by killing people, says Mirza Abbas, at event giving financial aid to families of slain BNP activists

The BNP leader made the remarks while distributing bottled water and saline among the pedestrians in front of BNP's Nayapaltan central office amid...