Cold wave hits Jessore, Panchagarh, Nilphamari

Life has almost come to a standstill due to cold waves in the Jessore, Nilphamari, and Panchagarh districts over the last seven days.

A mild to moderate cold wave is sweeping over the northern districts and it may continue till Friday, the Met Office said on Tuesday.

According to local sources, the biting cold wind blowing in from the Himalayas is intensifying, making normal activities of the people difficult around the districts.

In Jessore, due to the heavy fog, vehicles are being driven with the headlights on, even in broad daylight. People are suffering as the flights have also been delayed in the district.

According to the district weather office, the temperature began to drop after last Saturday's downpour. On Tuesday, the temperature was recorded at 9.8 ˚C .

In Panchagarh, the northern most district of the country, the lowest temperature of the country was recorded at 6˚C at Tetulia on Tuesday.

Md. Rahidul Islam, officer in charge of the Tetulia weather office, said: "Even though the sun shone once or twice throughout the day, much of the day was engulfed in darkness."

According to government sources, around 40,000 pieces of winter clothing have been distributed in Panchagarh.

In Nilphamari, throughout the week, the temperature has been ranging from 11˚C to 13˚C each day, said Lokman Hakim, assistant officer of the Saidpur airport weather office.

SA Hayat, the Nilphamari rehabilitation officer, said: "Around 42,000 blankets have been distributed during the cold wave."

Our correspondents Sazzadur Rahman Sazzad of Panchagarh, Md Tauhid-Uz-Zaman of Jessore, and Taiyeb Ali Sarker of Nilphamari contributed to this report.