school closures
Record-breaking low temperatures trigger school closures across Bangladesh
Bangladesh is currently experiencing a significant cold wave, with the season’s lowest temperature recorded at 6.6 degrees Celsius in both Chuadanga and Sirajganj districts this (January 23, 2024) morning. This drastic drop in temperature has heavily disrupted daily life and routines.
The government has directed the closure of all primary and secondary schools, including madrasas, if temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius. Despite this directive, some kindergartens and pre-cadet schools in Chuadanga have reportedly remained open.
Tabibur Rahman, Chuadanga Primary Education Officer, confirmed the compliance with the government’s closure directive, citing the severe cold as the reason. The Chuadanga First Class Meteorological Observatory noted a significant drop in temperature over a single day, from 9.5 degrees Celsius yesterday morning to 6.6 degrees Celsius today, prompting residents to stay indoors.
Read more: Secondary schools in Rajshahi closed due to cold; here are the details
Rakibul Hasan, a senior weather observer, stated, “The district’s minimum temperature was recorded at 6.8 degrees Celsius at 6 am and 6.6 degrees Celsius at 9 am today, with an air humidity of 96 percent.” This temperature is close to the district’s historic lows, with the ever-lowest being 3.9 degrees Celsius recorded on January 9, 2013.
Bazlur Rashid, a Dhaka-based meteorologist at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), confirmed the 6.6 degrees Celsius temperature in Sirajganj this morning, noting that both Chuadanga and Sirajganj are experiencing the season’s lowest temperatures simultaneously.