Cold wave hits northern regions, elsewhere in Bangladesh

The northern region and other parts of Bangladesh are experiencing a mild to moderate cold wave as bone-chilling cold winds from the Himalayan region are sweeping through them.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), in its 24-hour forecast commencing at 6pm Saturday, said a mild to moderate cold wave was sweeping over Mymensingh, Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions and the regions of Tangail, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Sreemangal, Jessore, Kushtia, Barisal and Bhola, and will likely continue.

The cold wave has disrupted normal life, particularly low-income groups, forcing people to stay indoors while the dense fog forced motorists to drive with their headlights on, even on the highways.

In Kurigram, a moderate cold wave was sweeping over the district.

The lowest temperature was recorded at 6.6°C in Rajarhat upazila on Saturday, according to the Rajarhat Met Office.

Subal Chandra, acting officer of the office, said the moderate cold wave was likely to continue for one or two more days.

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"The possibility of the mercury dropping further [than 6.6°C] is low," he added.  

Meanwhile, various social organizations have begun distributing warm clothes among the poor people hit hard by the winter.

According to the disaster management department of the district administration, as many as 35,000 blankets and 9,000 packets of dry food, allocated for nine upazilas of the district, are being distributed.

Besides, Tk6 lakh has been allocated for each upazila for purchasing warm clothes, the department said. 

In Panchagarh, the lowest temperature (7.8°C) was recorded in Tetulia.

Jitendra Nath Roy, a senior observer at the Tetulia Meteorological Centre, said the district was experiencing a mild to moderate cold wave due to the cold winds from the Himalayan region.

He said the mild cold wave was so termed when minimum temperatures remained between 10°C and 8°C.

The cold wave turned moderate when the temperature remained between 8°C and 6°C and severe when it fell below 6°C, Jitendra added.

Also Read - Cold wave grips northern Bangladesh

People of low-income groups have started crowding at government and private offices for winter clothes.

Although the district administration distributed 21,200 blankets, it is not enough for the cold-hit poor people.

In Jessore, a mild cold wave was sweeping over the district, while the Met Office recorded the lowest temperature at 8°C.

It predicted that the mercury might dip further on Sunday.

Poor people like day labourers and auto-rickshaw drivers are suffering the most due to the biting cold.

Sumon, who works in a restaurant, said his fingers were numb with cold as he had to touch water frequently. 

"Despite that, I have to continue my work; otherwise, the restaurant owner will not pay my wages."

Weather forecast

In its forecast on Saturday, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said the weather might remain dry all over the country.

Moderate to thick fog may occur at places over the river basins of the country and light to moderate fog may occur at places elsewhere over the country from midnight to morning.

Night temperatures might fall slightly and day temperatures might remain nearly unchanged over the country, the BMD said.