The northern district of Kurigram has started experiencing cold weather as the temperature continues to drop coupled with dense fog, throwing daily life out of gear. Over the past week, the mercury fluctuated between 17°C and 15.6°C, with Sunday morning recording the lowest temperature at 15.6°C. Though daytime temperatures remain bearable, the severity of the cold aggravates from late night to early morning, blanketing the district under thick fog. Vehicles are moving with headlights on, causing delays in transportation while Kurigram General Hospital is witnessing an increase in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses. On the other hand, day labourers and farmers are among those hit worst by the weather. Many are struggling to reach work on time while the underprivileged residents of 405 char (riverine) areas face severe suffering due to the chilly weather. Read: Cold weather grips Kurigram as temperature drops to 16 degrees Celsius Ruhul Amin, 40, a resident of Ghogadah in Kurigram Sadar, said for the past five to six days, the cold has been increasing. At night, it feels like drizzle because of the fog. It’s hard to work in this weather but they have no choice. Echoing Ruhul, another day labourer Abu Bakkar, 52, said they must leave for work before others even wake up. No matter how cold it gets, they can’t afford to skip work. Subal Chandra Sarkar, acting officer of Kurigram Weather Office, said that chilly winds are expected by the end of November or early December, which could further intensify the chill.

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh will allocate 190 acres of land in Kurigram for a special economic zone for Bhutanese investors. He said Bangladesh wants to import hydropower from Bhutan and a tripartite agreement is required to bring the electricity through India. "We are in discussion to that end," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. He said Bhutan has a potential of producing 25,000 megawatts of hydropower. The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh will also import hydropower from Nepal and things are settled regarding that initiative. Hasan said Bangladesh will construct a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu as a goodwill gesture which also demonstrates the country’s capacity. He also briefed about the visit of the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Three new MoUs will be signed between Bangladesh and Bhutan while another MoU on cultural exchange will be renewed, said the Foreign Minister. The new MoUs will be on establishing a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu, Specialized Economic Zone in Kurigram and technological cooperation consumers’ rights protection.   The King, along with Bhutanese Foreign, Health, Industry and Commerce Ministers and the Bhutanese Queen, is scheduled to arrive on Monday morning on a four-day visit demonstrating the strong relations that Bangladesh and Bhutan have developed steadily since 1971. "We have multifaceted relations with Bhutan," Minister Hasan said, adding that there is scope for boosting trade through transit and signing preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Bhutan.   President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the First Lady will receive the King amid gun salute and guard of honour. The King is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10 am on Monday by a special flight, a senior official told UNB. This is going to be the first VVIP visit to Bangladesh after the formation of new government following January 7 national election. After the ceremony at the airport, he will go to Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 to pay tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On Monday afternoon, the Bhutanese King will have a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office. They will have a one-to-one meeting. Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud will meet the King at his place of residence the same day before the meeting with the Prime Minister. On Tuesday, the King will visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar. The King will also visit Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. He will visit Bangabhaban where he will be received by the president and the first lady. The King will have a meeting with the president at 4:30 pm on Tuesday. The president will host iftar and dinner in honour of the visiting royal. On Wednesday morning, the Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and selected Bhutanese delegation members will leave Bangladesh for Bhutan by a special flight. Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Rehana and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will see them off at the airport. The Bhutanese King will visit Padma Bridge and Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj. On Thursday, the King will visit Kurigram Special Economic Zone. He will leave Bangladesh territory for Golakganj, Assam via Sonahat Land Port on Thursday afternoon. Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, state minister for shipping, will see him off there. The 4th King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, sent a letter of congratulations to the prime minister recently saying under her dynamic and strong leadership, Bangladesh has enjoyed peace, stability and unprecedented economic development. He also termed Bhutan as a "close friend" and rejoiced with the people of Bangladesh on this occasion. Bhutan was the first country to recognise the newly independent Bangladesh on December 6 in 1971 when the 3rd King of Bhutan sent a message of recognition by telegram. Since then Bangladesh and Bhutan share a special multidimensional bilateral relationship. Immediately after the independence, the Bhutanese government took initiative to establish diplomatic relations with Bangladesh and, consequently, formal diplomatic relations was established on 12 April 1973.

Four houses and a shop were gutted in a fire at Nayarhat Ververi area in Sadar upazila of Kurigram on Sunday morning. A van with 5 maunds of cotton was burnt to ashes in the fire that broke at the house of Khairul Islam of Nayarhat area at 4am. Father, son dead in Kurigram road accident Locals said the fire spread to some neighboring houses immediately. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Bone-chilling cold forces school closure in Joypurhat, Kurigram districts Later, locals entered a house and rescued eight sheep from the house. But the van, 5 maunds of cotton and some clothes in the shops were burnt to ashes. Fire service personnel from Kurigram Sadar arrived and brought the fire under control. Educational institutions shut in Kurigram due to cold wave Holokhana UP Chairman Rezaul Karim he sought help from the Deputy Commissioner in this regard.

Kurigram district in Bangladesh is currently grappling with a mild cold wave and dense fog, posing significant threats to local agriculture. Farmers, particularly those cultivating boro rice, are increasingly concerned about the potential damage to seedbeds and crop fields due to the harsh weather. Despite efforts such as applying pesticides and covering seedbeds with polythene, farmers remain worried. Anisur Rahman, a farmer from Bhogdanga in Sadar upazila, reported that although his boro seedlings are ready for planting, the cold and fog have hindered this process. Mantaj Ali, another local farmer, voiced concerns over his potato field, which is now completely enveloped in fog. Subal Chandra, an officer at the Kurigram Weather Observatory Centre, noted that the temperature dropped to 12.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and similar conditions are expected to persist for the next few days. He also warned of a cold wave hitting the district by the end of the month. Rainfall threatens mustard crop in Jashore, farmers fear losses Biplab Kumar Mohonta, deputy director of the Kurigram Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), explained that the cold weather has delayed boro plantation of 6,500 hectares of seedbeds. He cautioned that temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius could cause seedbed leaves to turn yellow. The DAE has already advised farmers to take additional measures to protect their seedbeds from damage.

Ruhul Amin, Jatiya Party nominated candidate for Kurigram-4 seat and its presidium member, has been hospitalised following a heart attack. He was first admitted to Rowmari Upazila Health Complex after he fell ill early Monday. Later, he was shifted to the National Heart Institute for better treatment. Now he is receiving treatment at the Coronary care unit (CCU) of the hospital, his nephew Rana Parvez confirmed. Asaduzzaman, health and family planning officer of Rowmari Upazila Health Complex, said that when he was brought to the hospital around 7:30 in the morning, his health was first checked. "We found his heart problem after getting the ECG report," he said. Later he was shifted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. "From there he was taken to Dhaka."

People in Kurigram and Lalmonirhat districts have been experiencing bitter cold as 15 degrees Celsius temperature is prevailing in the districts, causing sufferings to the poor people. In Lalmonirhat, a bitter winter breeze accompanied by dense fog has been prevailing in the district, disrupting the normal life of people, especially the poor people. A thick fog covered the sky of the five upazilas of the district from Thursday night. Vehicles were seen plying the roads with headlights on during daytime while the children and elderly people were seen shivering due to a lack of warm clothes. Import-export through Lalmonirhat’s Burimari land port off for Kali Puja The farmers preferred to stay at home as they failed to go to their respective fields due to the shivering cold. As the weather is getting colder, more people are getting admitted to the hospital with cold related diseases. Nirmalendu Roy, Lalmonirhat Civil Surgeon, said mostly children are getting admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and other cold related diseases. Lalmonirhat health division has taken steps to provide special medical services. Tk 7 crore bridge in Lalmonirhat left unused due to no approach road In Kurigram, people are experiencing the bone-chilling cold as the weather office has recorded 15.0 degrees Celsius temperature in the district. The day labourers are worried about warm clothes and work due to the cold. Lalmonirhat Sramik League activist killed in attack by BNP men, locals say Subol Chandra Sarkar, officer-in-charge of Kurigram Razarhat Observatory Centre, said the Met office recorded 15.0 degrees Celcius on Sunday but it may abate in the coming days.

A young entrepreneur in Kurigram's Sadar upazila is reaping the benefits of orange farming, exemplifying self-reliance after completing his education. Abu Raihan Faruk, the enterprising youth, anticipates doubling his investment from selling a high-yield variety of oranges originating from China. Raihan, who finished his studies three years ago, chose entrepreneurship over job hunting. He started to cultivate various local and foreign fruits like mango, orange and grapes on his six-acre farm two and a half years ago. Recognizing the high demand for oranges in the local market, he focused on expanding his orange cultivation. Successful malta cultivation raises hope among farmers in Thakurgaon’s Ranishankail Starting with a single plant of the Chinese orange variety acquired from Bogura district, Raihan successfully grew 100 orange trees through graft cutting in just one and a half years. Encouraged by this success, he invested in commercial cultivation by dedicating two bigha of land to orange farming with an investment of Tk 20,000. Raihan found orange farming relatively hassle-free, requiring only compost fertilizer, pesticides, and anti-fungus spray for a healthy yield. He confidently expects to double his profits this year. He anticipates selling 15-20 maunds of oranges. The potential revenue from his orange harvest is estimated at Tk 80,000. Raihan also highlights the significant demand for oranges in Bangladesh, which currently relies on imports. He believes that local commercial cultivation could meet domestic needs and eventually lead to exporting oranges. Mohammad Kabir Hossain, a visitor to Raihan's orchard, is inspired by Raihan's success and plans to venture into orange farming himself. Biplab Kumar Mohonto, the deputy director of Kurigram's Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), acknowledged the novelty of orange cultivation in the district and offered support to Raihan. Returnee-migrant bets future on Malta farming in Rajshahi Raihan's journey illustrates how innovative agricultural practices can transform the livelihoods of young entrepreneurs and potentially reshape the agricultural landscape of districts like Kurigram.

A 35-year-old Bangladeshi national was shot dead allegedly by the members of Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along Behularchar border in Rowmari upazila of Kurigram district on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Manik Mia, son of Abdul Baten of Shoulmari area. Local people said Manik along with 15-20 people went to 1062-2 S pillar of the bordering area at 12:30 am on Saturday. Read: 4-day BGB-BSF regional commander-level conference will begin tomorrow The BSF members from Kuchnimara camp opened fire on them, leaving Manik dead on the spot. However, local people managed to bring his body back. Rup Kumar Sarkar, officer-in-charge of Roumari Police Station, said police recovered the body of Manik and took it to the local police station. Read: BSF officials Sonali Mishra visits Hili border check post in Dinajpur Commanding officer of BGB-35, Lieutenant Colonel Mashruki, said they heard about the incident but he could not confirm it.

Waterlogging has become a never-ending problem for the residents of Horijon Polli in Chilmari upazila of Kurigram district, thanks to the lack of adequate measures of the local administration. Some 150 people of 30 families are going through untold suffering due to the waterlogging problem as the whole area has been submerged following the torrential rainfall and onrush of water from the upstream over the last week. Read more: Dhaka city corporations grapple with persistent waterlogging problem on multiple fronts During a recent visit to the Horijon Polli, at Sabujpara under Thanahat union, this correspondent found water all around and the residents of the area were seen fetching safe drinking water and food after wading through waist-deep water. Moni Lal, a local, said the whole area gets inundated even after little rain and residents of the area have been living in such a situation for the past one week. If the water increases further then they have to move to a safer place. Read more:Monsoon coming, no solution to Dhaka’s waterlogging in sight Besides, they did not receive any assistance from the authorities though eight days have passed, claimed the local people. Contacted, Rafiul Alam, Chilmari Upazila Nirbahi Officer, said a list is being prepared and the higher authorities concerned have been informed. Read more: Waterlogging turns severe in Chattogram after heavy rains for 3rd consecutive day

Teesta river's water level has surged 41 cm above the danger mark in Kurigram district, while water levels of Brahmaputra, Dudhkumar, and Dharla rivers are also on the rise. The escalating water levels have instilled fears of potential flooding among the residents living along the riverbanks.  Kurigram Water Development Board has forecast short-term flooding.  Teesta's water level crosses danger mark, triggers flooding in Lalmonirhat According to the district’s Water Development Board, Brahmaputra river's water level is currently 72 cm below the danger mark at the Nunkhawa point, 58 cm below the limit at the Chilmari point, and Dharla river's water level is 97 cm below the danger limit at the Kurigram Sadar point.  However, at Kaunia Point, Teesta river's water is surging 41 cm above the danger level.  Low-lying areas including Begumganj, Nayarhat, and Saheber Alga in the Ulipur upazila of the district have already been inundated due to the increased water levels.  Irrespective of whether the water level of Teesta river rises or decreases, erosion stays persistent and the residents of the riverside areas run from rising waters all year round.  Teesta erosion worsens in Kurigram; 50 homes swept away Md. Noor Alam, a resident of the Goraipia area near Teesta river, expressed his concerns about the rising water levels over the past few days, particularly for the paddy fields.  “Whether the water of the Teesta river rises or recedes, river erosion persists, and the year-round struggles of the Teesta Par community go unnoticed,” he lamented. Surman Ali from Khitab Khan village echoed the same and expressed distress over the continuous rain and rising water levels.  “The incessant rainfall coupled with the rising Teesta water has submerged our lives again, along with our cattles,” he said.  Abdullah Al Mamun, executive engineer of the Water Development Board, attributed the rising river water to heavy rainfall in India’s Assam and Arunachal.  Teesta flowing 20cm above danger level in Lalmonirhat, several hundred families stranded He said that the onrush of hill water and heavy rainfall in the region have caused the Teesta river's water level to surpass the danger level.  He also said that Brahmaputra river's water might reach the danger mark in the coming days.  While the forecast predicts short-term floods in certain areas of the district, including some unions of Ulipur and Chilmari upazilas, Mamun said that despite the water crossing danger levels, a major flood event is not likely to occur. Kurigram’s Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saidul Arif said that comprehensive preparations have been undertaken to manage potential flood situations. All necessary arrangements, including food aid, rescue boats, and shelters, have been organized to ensure residents’ safety, he added.