United News of Bangladesh

Severe cold coupled with dense fog has disrupted daily life in Lalmonirhat district for the past several days as temperatures continue to fall. A thick blanket of fog has engulfed the northern district, reducing visibility and hampering traffic movement. The mist, which resembles drizzle, combined with icy winds, has worsened the situation. Mustafizur Rahman, in-charge at the Rangpur Weather Office, said the temperature in the district was recorded at 11.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning. Mild cold wave sweeping over parts of country: BMD He warned of a further drop in temperatures in the coming days. Low-income people are lighting fires with straw and twigs to combat the chill while vehicles are moving cautiously on roads and highways with headlights on throughout the day. Hospitals are witnessing a rise in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses particularly children and the elderly. Daily-wage earners, especially those living near the Teesta River, are the worst sufferers. “The cold feels more intense due to the fog. Although daytime temperatures rise slightly, it becomes severe cold after sunset,” said Anwar Hossain, a teacher of Duhuli School in Kaliganj Upazila. Severe cold grips Kurigram; low-income people hit hard Farmers are also struggling as the severe cold hampers their work. “For days, the cold has been more severe after sunset. Fog covers the area from night till dawn, and we haven’t seen the sun in days. This weather is seriously affecting our farming activities,” said Shakil Mia, a farmer of Kakina area. Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sifat Anwar Tumfa said authorities are distributing blankets and warm clothing among the affected population focusing on the most vulnerable communities. “We are prioritising the distribution of warm clothing in the Teesta River basin to mitigate the impact of the cold,” he said.

The people of Panchagarh district have been experiencing bone-chilling cold for the last three days that disrupted their normal activities. The minimum temperature was recorded 10 degrees Celsius in Tetulia at 9 am on Sunday, said Rokonuzzaman Rokon, an officer of Tetulia Weather Observatory Centre. The minimum temperature was recorded at 8.7 degree Celsius in Tetulia on Friday and Saturday. The low-income people including day labourers, children, the elderly are worst hit by shivering cold. The sun remains unseen most of the time while most of the day labourers can’t go out in search of work due to biting cold. Many locals were seen trying to keep warm by burning tree branches and dry leaves as the temperature keeps falling. Also read: Mild cold wave sweeps parts of country