Gopalganj recorded its lowest temperature of the season early Wednesday, with the mercury dropping to 7.5°C at 6am, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), intensifying the grip of winter across large parts of the country.
The district is among several regions currently under the influence of a mild to moderate cold wave, affecting Khulna and Barishal divisions and the districts of Madaripur, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna and Sirajganj.
The Met Office said weather conditions are expected to remain mostly dry with temporary partly cloudy skies.
However, moderate to dense fog may form from midnight through the morning hours and, in some areas, persist until noon—posing risks to air navigation, inland water transport and road communication.
While night temperatures are likely to remain unchanged, daytime temperatures may rise slightly, though persistent fog will continue to intensify the feeling of cold.
In Gopalganj, especially in Kotalipara upazila, dense fog and prolonged cold have disrupted daily life. For the past five days, thick fog has blocked sunlight for much of the day, forcing day labourers to stay indoors and delaying agricultural activities.
Farmers have expressed concern that the cold spell is affecting Boro paddy cultivation, particularly in low-lying single-crop farmlands.
Abu Sufian, an observer at the Gopalganj Meteorological Office, said morning humidity reached 97%, significantly amplifying the chill.
“Although temperatures rise slightly after noon, the cold continues to severely affect low-income groups,” he said, adding that livestock and poultry are also suffering, while children and the elderly are increasingly falling ill.
Scenes of hardship were visible across the district, with van pullers and labourers lighting small roadside fires to keep warm.
“Even in this bitter cold, I’ve come out with my van to earn a living,” said 50-year-old van driver Shukur Ali. “But there are no passengers. People are staying home unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Cold-related illnesses are also increasing. Kotalipara Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Kumar Mridul Das said cases of diarrhoea, pneumonia, cough, breathing difficulties and fever have risen sharply, particularly among children and the elderly.
“Patient pressure has increased at health centres, while limited manpower is making service delivery challenging,” he said.
In Rajshahi, the temperature dropped to 8.4°C at 6am on Wednesday—the lowest of the season in the district. Rajib Khan, an observer at the Rajshahi Meteorological Office, said icy northern winds that intensified from Tuesday evening may persist for several more days.
The city experienced three consecutive days without sunshine due to dense fog, worsening the cold conditions. Labourers and homeless people were seen burning straw and other materials for warmth, while Rajshahi Medical College Hospital reported a surge in cold-related patients.
Sylhet also felt the winter’s bite, with temperatures hovering around 12°C. Dense fog blanketed the city, keeping the sun hidden until noon.
Rudra Talukder, deputy assistant meteorologist at the Sylhet Meteorological Office, said the temperature stood at 12.5°C on Wednesday morning and is expected to remain similar in the coming days, with partly cloudy skies forecast.
Meanwhile, in Chuadanga, temperatures fell to 8°C by 9am, disrupting normal life. The local Met Office said the ongoing moderate cold wave is likely to continue for at least another couple of days.
As winter tightens its grip, authorities and health officials urge special attention to vulnerable populations, warning that prolonged cold and dense fog could further strain livelihoods, agriculture and healthcare services across the affected regions.