United News of Bangladesh

A mild to moderate cold wave sweeping across large parts of Bangladesh has begun to affect daily life, agriculture and health, particularly in the northern districts, as temperatures dip and dense fog blankets vast areas of the country. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), a cold wave is currently prevailing over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, as well as the districts of Gopalgonj, Moulvibazar, Cumilla, Feni, Khulna, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia. The situation is likely to persist in the coming days. In its latest bulletin issued on Thursday morning, the Met office said moderate to thick fog may occur over river basins, while light to moderate fog is expected elsewhere during the late night to morning hours. Ongoing cold wave likely to continue till Jan 11 Despite the cold conditions, the weather is forecast to remain dry, with a temporarily partly cloudy sky across the country. Night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged, while day temperatures may rise slightly. The country’s lowest temperature on Thursday was recorded at Srimangal in Sylhet at 7.0 degrees Celsius. Dhaka registered a comparatively milder 12.5 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, meteorologists are also monitoring a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal. The system, which intensified from a depression at 6 am on Thursday, is moving west-northwestwards and is likely to cross the Sri Lanka coast. Its associated trough extends up to the North Bay, while a ridge of the sub-continental high pressure system stretches across West Bengal and the adjoining western parts of Bangladesh. Severe Cold in Lalmonirhat From Lalmonirhat, UNB’s correspondent reports that a severe cold wave has gripped the district, accompanied by dense fog and chilling winds, significantly disrupting normal life. The Rajarhat Meteorological Observatory recorded the district’s lowest temperature at 10.3 degrees Celsius at 9 am on Thursday. Subal Chandra Sarkar, acting officer of the Kurigram Rajarhat Meteorological Office, warned that temperatures may fall further in the coming days. Severe cold wave paralyses Chuadanga Heavy fog covering roads and open fields during the early morning hours has slowed traffic, particularly on highways and regional roads. The impact has been especially harsh on daily wage earners, rickshaw pullers and agricultural labourers, many of whom are unable to work, pushing already vulnerable families into financial hardship. Children and elderly people remain the most at risk as cold-related illnesses rise. Local health facilities, including Upazila Health Complexes, have reported an increased number of patients seeking treatment for cold-induced ailments. The cold spell has also posed challenges for farmers. To protect Boro paddy nurseries and winter vegetable fields, cultivators are taking additional precautions. However, the prolonged lack of sunlight caused by dense fog has raised concerns over the potential spread of crop diseases. Residents have urged the authorities to ensure adequate distribution of winter clothing among the poor and vulnerable, warning that the suffering of low-income families could intensify if the cold wave continues.

In a landmark achievement for Bangladesh, Najmun Nahar has become the first Bangladeshi to visit 184 countries, earning international recognition and placing herself among a rare group of pioneering Muslim women travellers worldwide. She reached this milestone with her recent trip to the Bahamas, where she was congratulated by first lady Patricia Minnis for her extraordinary achievement. Najmun Nahar’s latest journey, from June to December 2025, included Samoa in Oceania, Timor-Leste in Southeast Asia, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean, Venezuela in South America, and the Bahamas. By carrying the Bangladeshi red and green flag across continents, Najmun Nahar has not only set a global travel record but also elevated Bangladesh’s presence on the world stage, leaving a legacy of courage, perseverance, and inspiration for generations to come. Read more: Justice Nazmun Ara becomes first female DG of Jati Her globe-trotting adventure began in 2000 through India’s International Adventure Programme. A solo traveler, Najmun Nahar has explored most countries by road, overcoming numerous challenges, extreme conditions, and life-threatening situations. She plans to continue her journey to the few remaining countries yet to be visited. Najmun Nahar’s travels have drawn international media attention, featuring in outlets including Venezuela’s La Nación, Caribbean WIC News, Timor-Leste’s Suara Timor Lorosa’e, and Portugal’s Lusa. She has also appeared in numerous global media platforms, highlighting her perseverance and inspiring achievements. Through her journeys, Najmun Nahar has promoted Bangladesh internationally, raising awareness on global issues such as peace, environmental conservation, and stopping child marriage. Reflecting on her Venezuela trip, she said, “It was the most challenging and adventurous journey yet, from the Simon Bolivar International border through extensive police checks to visiting 17 cities. The Andes mountains, lush valleys, pristine seas, desert landscapes, and the warmth of local people made Venezuela a unique collage of beauty. Each country I visited, from Samoa to the Bahamas, presented challenges but also unparalleled natural wonders.”

“Food coma” can occur in both people and animals. After having a large meal, you may feel the urgency to rest and find a corner or bed to relax. This is referred to as a “food coma”. The experience feels lethargic, and people struggle to get the necessary energy. However, by being aware of a few steps, food coma can be prevented. What is a Food Coma? A food coma is when you feel sleepy and tired after having a heavy meal. It's not like being in a deep sleep or a medical coma. After a large meal, your body sends a lot of blood to your stomach to digest the food, which can make you feel tired because it takes blood away from other parts of your body, like your brain.  Foods high in carbohydrates and fats can also make your blood sugar spike and then crash, leaving you feeling super tired. Additionally, hormones released after eating fatty foods can slow down digestion and make you feel sluggish. When you eat carbs and fats together, it can lead to a release of insulin, which increases the production of a chemical called tryptophan in your brain. Tryptophan boosts serotonin levels, making you feel relaxed and sleepy, leading to what's known as a food coma. Read more: Reasons Why Ramadan Fasting is More Beneficial Than Dieting Causes of Food Coma The reasons for a food coma lie in the intake of certain kinds and amounts of ingredients and the workload the stomach feels while metabolizing foods. To understand more deeply, reading a little explanation will help. Foods Containing Tryptophan People often get sleepy after eating certain types of foods. Some experts say it's because foods like whole grain, beef, lamb, poultry, dairy, nuts, seeds, legumes, etc contain a lot of a substance called tryptophan. When someone eats such foods, along with foods high in carbs, like rice or mashed potatoes, it can make them feel even sleepier.  It happens because tryptophan helps the brain make serotonin which makes a person feel calm and relaxed. Serotonin also helps the body produce melatonin, which is a hormone that gets people ready for sleep. So, eating tryptophan-enriched foods and carb-heavy foods can make people feel exhausted after a big meal. Read more: Colon Cancer: Everything You Need to Know Anomaly in Blood Supply to Brain Away from the brain to the digestive organs, a slight shift in blood flow can cause postprandial somnolence. Again, eating pumps up the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which is liable to regulate different body functions like blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion. When the stomach fills with enough food, the PNS gets triggered, causing more blood flow to the digestive organs and less to the brain. This lack of blood flow to the brain will cause a person to feel tired and sleepy. High-Calorie Meals Some experts propose that high-fat meals like dairy products, eggs, fatty fish, meat, nuts, seeds, etc which are low in carbohydrates can also create drowsiness.  Scientists also propose the idea of satiety signals, a rather complex combination sent to crucial sleep centers in the brain when such a meal with high fat or high calories is taken. The signal theoretically decreases hunger and arousal signals in the brain and increases sleepiness. Read more: How Does Physical Activity and Exercise Affect Testosterone Levels? Cytokines Increase Cytokines, a molecule from the Interlekin-1 family, is a signaling substance, involved in processes like inflammatory response, and is believed by experts to be responsible for augmented post-meal fatigue.  To draw an example of the use case, experts refer to any incident that involves a person taking medications to reduce inflammatory responses when the postprandial somnolence effect gets less intense and less common. Cytokines can affect the central nervous system and increase one’s perception of fatigue.