A moderate cold wave continues to sweep over northern Bangladesh, with no end to the sufferings of the poor and the homeless. Due to thick fog and freezing winds, low income groups are unable to go out for work. Vehicles cannot ply on roads without headlights on even during the day due to a lack of visibility. People have to burn straws or make makeshift campfires to stay warm.
Though there was a slight increase in temperatures in the northern regions, the north-westerly wind is making it feel colder. This condition is likely to prevail for the next few days, according to the Met office.
“A mild cold wave is sweeping over the regions of Sreemangal, Pabna, Bogra, Badalgachi, Dinajpur and Chuadanga and it may continue,” said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in its daily weather bulletin.
The lowest temperature in Bangladesh yesterday was recorded at 7.9°C in Sreemangal. The lowest temperature in the country on Friday was registered at 6.5°C. It was the lowest this season.
Although the mercury has risen marginally, temperatures in the divisional cities, especially in the capital, have dropped by about 3°C.
The lowest temperature in Dhaka was recorded at 13.6°C, Mymensingh at 11.5°C, Chittagong at 14°C, Sylhet at 12°C, Khulna at 12.6°C, Barisal at 10.6°C, Rajshahi at 10.6°C, and Rangpur at 11°C.
Temperatures in Rajshahi and Rangpur increased slightly compared to Friday.
The weather may remain dry with a temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, said the BMD in its weather forecast.
Moderate to thick fog is likely to occur over the river basins and light to moderate fog is likely to occur elsewhere over the country from midnight to morning, it added.
Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital paediatrician Monowarul Islam said the number of patients admitted to the emergency department has increased. About 30 children with diarrhoea and whooping cough have been admitted to the hospital as of writing this report.
Panchagarh Modern Sadar Hospital Residential Medical Officer (RMO) Sirajuddaula Palin said: “The number of patients with cold and cold-related illnesses has increased. No hospital beds are currently vacant. A lot of diarrhoea and cold cases are being treated at the outpatient department.”
Panchagarh Deputy Commissioner Sabina Yasmin said 21,700 blankets had been distributed in the entire district through five upazila nirbahi officers. Besides, Tk30 lakh had been allocated for the collection and distribution of winter clothes locally in each upazila.
