Cold wave disrupts life in two northern districts
Bone-chilling cold wave accompanied by mild wind during the last one week disrupted normal life in different areas of Panchagarh and Thakurgaon.
The lowest temperature was recorded between 4.9 degree Celsius and 5.9 degree Celsius in Tentulia in the last one week, Assistant Met Officer Rohidul Islam of Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Tentulia branch, said, adding that the temperature was 5.8 degree Celsius yesterday.
The country's northern region is witnessing a sharp fall in temperature as cold wind from the Himalayan region is sweeping through the area, Rahidul said, adding that the severity of cold has been increasing due to a less fog this season.
The adverse weather hit many, especially the low income group people like farm workers, day labourers and rickshaw-pullers, who manage their livelihood hand to mouth.
It is also forcing people to stay indoors, affecting business and other day to day activities.
Due to the chilling cold, attendance of number of students in different schools and colleges has also reduced a bit.
Farm worker Abdul Mazid, 52, of Chandipur village in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, said due to the severe cold it is much harder for them to continue their work in the cropland.
Motaleb Hossain, 55, of Milonpur village in the upazila, who was carrying vegetable items on his bicycle to a local market, said it is very difficult to ride bicycle in such bone-chilling cold wind.
This year the severity of cold is much higher than that of the previous years, he said.
Grocer Mohammad Selim, 45, of Kalibari Bazar in Thakurgaon town, said as movement of people is too low due to bad weather sale of different grocery items has decreased a bit.
On the other hand, the number of patients, especially elderly people and children affected with different cold related diseases, has been increasing at different hospitals and clinics.
About 175 children, affected with different cold related diseases, are currently admitted to Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital while another 210 adult patients are admitted to other wards of the hospital, hospital sources said.
Besides, over 250 more patients were treated at the hospital in the last one week.
Meanwhile, about 34 pneumonia and diarrhoea patients are admitted to Panchagarh Sadar Hospital while in average over 100 patients are receiving treatment there everyday.
Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr KM Kamruzzaman Selim said the district administration has already distributed 24,500 blankets and 200 quilts among the cold-hit people.
“We are also requesting the solvent people from the society to help the poor and distress,” the DC said.
Thakurgaon Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Deputy Director Aftab Hossain said although it is hard for farmers to work in the crop fields in such chilling weather, the situation is not alarming for the Robi crops yet.
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