An intense cold wave continues to grip Rangpur and all eight districts of the division, with temperatures dropping to 7°C.
The biting cold, accompanied by icy winds, has significantly intensified the severity of winter, disrupting daily life.
The extreme cold wave has led to the widespread outbreak of diseases like pneumonia, cold diarrhoea, respiratory issues, and fever.
Over the past three days, five children suffering from pneumonia have died while undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.
Currently, more than 150 children are hospitalized due to cold-related illnesses.
According to Abdul Quddus from the hospital’s records office, five children, including three newborns aged just 5–7 days, succumbed to pneumonia over the last three days.
The Rangpur Weather Office reported that on Friday at 6am, the lowest temperature in the division was recorded at 7.8°C in Tetulia, Panchagarh, marking the coldest temperature of the season in the region.
Other districts followed with temperatures of 9.4°C in Thakurgaon, 10.8°C in Rajarhat (Kurigram), 10°C in Dinajpur, 10.8°C in Dimla (Nilphamari), 10.8°C in Lalmonirhat, 10.9°C in Gaibandha, 11.1°C in Syedpur, and 12.5°C in Rangpur city.
Assistant Meteorologist Mostafizur Rahman from the Rangpur Weather Office said on Friday morning that the cold wave may persist throughout the week, with a possibility of further temperature drops.
The extreme cold has brought life to a standstill in the region.
People haven’t seen the sun for two consecutive days.
The icy winds have made the cold unbearable, and most people are staying indoors unless absolutely necessary.
In rural areas, the cold is even more severe due to the open fields, farmlands, and few trees, forcing people to burn straw and other materials to stay warm.
The cold wave has hit the homeless and impoverished families the hardest.
Lacking proper winter clothing, they are enduring harsh living conditions.
Affected residents have complained about the lack of government initiatives for distributing winter clothes.
Meanwhile, cold-related illnesses continue to spread alarmingly across the region.
