As a mild cold wave sweeps across the country, dense fog and chilly winds have disrupted lives, particularly in Chuadanga, which recorded the country’s lowest temperature this morning.
Chuadanga recorded the country’s lowest temperature of 9.8 degrees Celsius, with air humidity at 95 percent, said Zahidul Islam, an observer at the Chuadanga Meteorological office
The district experienced 9.7 degrees Celsius yesterday, with air humidity at 93 percent, he noted, adding that temperatures are likely to drop further as a mild cold wave continues to affect the region.
“People are rarely stepping outdoors, and the low-income population is suffering immensely as they have to work in this cold,” said Kamal Hossain, a local resident. He added that many are trying to ward off the cold by lighting fires.
The situation is similar in the fog-covered northern districts.
Dinajpur recorded 10.2 degrees Celsius this morning. The cold is expected to persist for a few more days, with the possibility of another cold spell in late January, said Tofazzal Hossain, in-charge of the Dinajpur Weather Office, urging locals to take necessary precautions.
The cold has caused significant disruptions, with day labourers and transport workers losing work, as few people ventured outdoors. The unfavourable weather has also made commuting risky.
Meanwhile, Lalmonirhat recorded 11.4 degrees Celsius, and Kurigram reported 11.3 degrees Celsius this morning, according to the Rangpur Meteorological Office.
Farmers in these districts, particularly those in the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar, and Gangadhar river belts, are forced to work in these harsh conditions to prevent crop loss, said Abdullah Al Mamun, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Kurigram.
Tentulia’s temperature was similar to Lalmonirhat, with the district’s Weather Observatory Centre recording 11.3 degrees Celsius this morning.
According to doctors at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, there has been an increase in patients with cold-related illnesses, including pneumonia, respiratory infections, and diarrhoea. Farmers continue to work in the fields in Batrishazari village under Lalmonirhat Sadar, defying the cold. The photo was this morning.
Hospitals across northern districts, including Thakurgaon and Panchagarh, are witnessing a similar surge in cases.
“Around 200 children suffering from cold-related ailments are currently under treatment in the hospital’s 45-bed children’s ward,” said Rakibul Alam, resident medical officer of Thakurgaon 250-bed Modern Hospital.
He added that elderly patients with similar health issues are also being admitted.
Dinajpur and Rangpur district administrations have started distributing warm clothes to affected populations, but the demand far exceeds the supply.
Low-income families, unable to afford winter clothing, continue to suffer in silence.
According to Md Mostafizur Rahman, assistant meteorologist at the Rangpur Meteorological Office, the weather in the northern areas is expected to remain unchanged for the next few days, with the sun obscured by dense fog.
Our correspondents from Benapole, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, and Thakurgaon contributed to this report. Source : The Daily Star