The northern region of Rajshahi is experiencing a cold wave.
A mild cold breeze has been blowing since last Wednesday, leaving low-income people shivering.
In this condition, the sidewalks in the city have seen an increase in foot traffic from the underprivileged, but many are struggling to make ends meet.
According to those involved, the government-issued blankets for the cold-affected people are insufficient.
According to the Rajshahi weather office, the minimum temperature recorded at 6am on Friday was 9.8°C.
The previous day, Thursday's, minimum temperature was 10.5°C, with a maximum of 20.4°C.
Rahidul Islam, the in-charge of the Rajshahi weather observation centre, said that although the temperature had dropped to 9°C at the start of December, there was no chilly wind at that time.
Now, a piercing cold wind has been blowing for a few days, making the cold feel more intense, even though the temperature hasn't dropped significantly.
Meanwhile, the mild cold wave starting from Friday has increased the suffering of low-income people.
They are trying to ward off the cold by burning dry straw in the mornings and evenings.
Blankets have been allocated for distribution among the cold-affected people in 9 upazilas and 14 municipalities, but in most areas, the distribution has not yet started.
The blankets remain stored in warehouses, while the homeless endure the cold.
Monira Begum, a housewife from the Dori Khadbona area of Rajshahi city, said: "It's been very cold for the past few days. So, I bought a few more warm clothes from the footpath and the Shaheb Bazar area."
Mokhlesur Rahman, a farmer from the Durgapur upazila, said: "It's difficult to work in the fields because of the cold, but life must go on."
Friday morning, elderly Taslima Begum was sitting outside her house in the hope of sunlight.
She was wearing a torn sweater and another piece of cloth.
Taslima Begum said: "It's really cold. If I get one blanket, it would help. Who will give it? No one is here to help, so I am looking towards the sun. Maybe the chairman or members will come and give me a blanket, that would relieve the cold."
She added: "Four years ago, a member of the local union council gave me a blanket. It has worn out now. For two years, I’ve been wearing a single sweater."
Mizanur Rahman, the chairman of the Nimpara union council in Charghat upazila, said that the population of his union is over 50,000, but only 300 blankets have been allocated for distribution. These blankets have not arrived yet.
He said: "How can I distribute 300 blankets to more than 300 people who are asking for them every day? I'm in trouble."
Although 2,600 blankets have been allocated for Charghat upazila, they have not reached the destitute cold-affected people.
Even though the allocation was made two weeks ago, the blankets are still lying in the warehouse of the upazila council, according to the union chairmen.
