Winter has tightened its grip on Panchagarh. Even though there has been no fog in the early mornings for the past two days, the icy winds are making the cold feel like freezing temperatures.
The people of Panchagarh are being severely affected by the biting cold. The poor rural population is trying to fend off the cold by burning straw and sticks.
On Monday, the temperature was recorded at 10.9°C at 9am. Earlier, the same temperature was recorded at 6am. On Sunday, the temperature at 9am was recorded at 11.5°C. The data on the morning temperatures was provided by the first-class weather observatory in the Tetulia office of the district.
Vegetable farmer Azmir said: “It feels like ice from night till dawn. It’s so cold that working has become very difficult. I came to harvest spinach, mustard greens, and bottle gourd leaves early in the morning. I can’t touch them; it feels like ice. My hands are going numb. But what can I do? I have to work to bring fresh vegetables to the market.”
Jitendra Nath, an officer of the Tetulia Meteorological Department in Panchagarh, said: "The temperature has dropped further compared to Sunday. It has gone down to around 10°C. On Monday, the temperature was recorded at 10.9°C at 9am. On Sunday, it was recorded at 11.5°C."