Bangladesh shivers in cold as mercury dips to 5.5°C in North

A severe cold wave continues to sweep across the northern districts of the country and the situation is likely to prevail for a few more days.

The lowest temperature in the country on Sunday was registered in Kurigram’s Rajarhat upazila at 5.5°C, the lowest this season.

“A severe cold wave is sweeping over Kurigram and Rajshahi districts,” according to the Met Office.

“Mild to moderate cold wave is sweeping over Mymensingh division and elsewhere over Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, and the regions of Tangail, Faridpur, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Nikli, Sreemangal, Khulna, Jessore, Chuadanga, Kushtia, Barisal and Bhola, and it may continue,” the Bangladesh Meteorological Department added.

“The weather may remain dry over the country. Moderate to thick fog may occur over the country from midnight to morning,” the Met office said in its weather forecast. 

It continued: “Night temperature may fall slightly over Chittagong and Barisal divisions and may remain nearly unchanged elsewhere over the country.”

In the divisional cities, the lowest temperature in Dhaka was recorded at 11.7°C, Mymensingh at 9.5°C, Chittagong at 15.1°C, Sylhet at 13.5°C, Rajshahi at 5.7°C, Rangpur at 7.2°C, Khulna at 10°C and Barisal at 9.4°C.

No respite from cold wave

Residents of the northern regions of Bangladesh have been suffering through the bone-chilling cold that has shown no sign of letting up. 

In Nilphamari, the local Met office recorded a minimum temperature of 7°C, the lowest this season. The situation may remain the same for the next four/five days, it said.

Low-income people have been hit hard by winter as they have not been able to go out in search of work.

“My family's livelihood depends on the money I earn by pulling a rickshaw-van, which has become a challenge, due to the bone-chilling cold. People don’t come out of their houses as often either for the same reason. My family and I are in a miserable situation right now,” said Balu Miah, resident of Newbabu Para area. 

In Dinajpur, the lowest temperature was registered at 7.3°C. 

“The cold spell will continue to sweep across the district for another three/four days,” said district Met office in-charge Tofazzur Hossain. 

Workers and labourers of the area are unable to put food on the table as they have not been able to go out to work owing to a lack of winter clothing.

Besides, road accidents have reportedly increased due to the persistent fog. 

Meanwhile, the number of patients being admitted to hospitals with various cold-related illnesses is also increasing day by day. 

In Bogra, the mercury dropped to 7.7°C on Sunday, the lowest this season. 

The sun was only visible for a few moments throughout the day, and the residents of the district, especially the homeless, are in a state of severe anguish. 

The district Met office forecasted that the bone-biting cold will subside after four/five days. 

“The moderate cold wave will prevail till February 4 or 5,” said meteorologist Sajib Hossain, adding that people will feel the severity of winter even if the sun becomes visible.

Taiyeb Ali Sarker, Nilphamari, Faruk Hossain, Dinajpur and Nazmul Huda Nasim, Bogra contributed to this report