North shivers in cold

Dense fog and biting cold winds have gripped the northern districts of Rangpur, Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Joypurhat, and Naogaon, causing immense suffering.

The Dinajpur Meteorological Office reported a temperature of 10.6 degrees Celsius at 6:00am yesterday, marking one of the season's coldest mornings.

Later in the day, the temperature was recorded at 11.1 degrees , which dropped further within three hours.

Although no official cold wave has been declared, chilling conditions are severely affecting daily wage earners and marginalised communities.

Md Tofazzal Hossain, officer-in-charge of the Dinajpur Meteorological Observatory, said, "Dense fog often results in slightly higher recorded temperatures, but the cold feels harsher due to persistent fog and icy winds."

Abdur Razzak, a day labourer from Dinajpur, said, "The cold is  unbearable, especially with the icy winds cutting through the fog. I  have to leave for work late because of the weather, but staying home  isn't an option as my family depends on me."

In Panchagarh, residents are resorting to lighting straw fires to combat the cold.

Roads and highways remain blanketed in thick fog, forcing vehicles to operate with headlights even during the day. Similar scenes are reported in Joypurhat and Naogaon.

Farmers and farm labourers report being unable to work for long in the fields due to the intense chill, particularly in the mornings and at night.

In Rangpur Division, the minimum temperature was recorded at 11 degrees Celsius in Kurigram and 11.5 degrees in Lalmonirhat at 9:00am yesterday.

Villagers in these districts, especially those living on the Brahmaputra, Teesta, Dharla, Dudhkumar, and Gangadhar river basins, are enduring severe suffering due to the cold.

Amina Bewa, 62, a resident of Fulgach village in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila said, "We are suffering immensely due to the cold and fog. I don't have enough warm clothing and must rely on burning straw at home for warmth."

Day labourer Meser Ali, 55, from the Char Jorgach area in Chilmari Upazila of Kurigram, echoed similar difficulties.

"The cold has increased our misery. I can't go out in the morning because of the biting chill. We burn straw at home to stay warm as we lack adequate clothing," he said.

Hospitals across the region are witnessing a surge in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses such as fever, pneumonia, diarrhea, and respiratory issues. Low-income families, particularly in rural areas, are struggling to procure warm clothing and heating materials, compounding their hardship.

Local authorities and non-governmental organisations are being urged to distribute blankets and warm clothes to those in need.

Meanwhile, residents of Dhaka and surrounding areas are expected to experience colder weather in the coming days as temperatures may drop further due to persistent fog during the daytime, an official from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) stated.

Dhaka's minimum temperature was recorded at 15 degrees Celsius yesterday.

According to BMD's morning weather bulletin, thick fog is likely to disrupt air navigation, inland river transport, and road communication at least until 9:00am today.

BMD Meteorologist Md Omar Faruq said that the foggy conditions in Dhaka are expected to improve by Sunday, with a slight rise in temperature.