City cringes in mist and cold

Thin mists drifted lazily across near-empty city streets and life bitten by chilly wind went into hibernation yesterday. There was no sun to brighten up the grey cityscape with the mercury dropping to 12.2 degree Celsius.

The second spell of the cold wave also brought life across the country almost to a standstill.

At least 51 persons died in the last eight days owing to the cold wave, and more than 400 people, suffering from cold-related ailments, were admitted to hospital in Jessore, according to unofficial sources.

No sunlight was visible in the 16 northern districts, and heavy fog continued to disrupt normal life. Poor people are leaving their homes in search of warmer places.

Asadur Rahman, an official of the met office, said the situation would remain unchanged in the next two or three days. Quoting the committee of weather specialists he said, "From January 11 the temperature might rise. But the temperature would fall again on January 15-16." The dense fog has greatly worsened the situation, Rahman added.

Meanwhile, the lowest temperature recorded in the country yesterday was 7.9 degree Celsius in Chuadanga, while the highest was 25.8 in Teknaf.

The capital also felt the chill yesterday, with the mercury dropping to 12.2 degree Celsius. The met office forecasted that thick fog would persist over the northern parts of the country for the next 24 hours, and a mild to medium cold wave would sweep over Jessore, Kushtia, Satkhira, Rajshahi and Sylhet during the next 36 hours.

Meanwhile, at least 51 persons died, including eight in the capital, due to the cold wave in the last 8 days, according to unofficial sources.

An unidentified beggar was found dead yesterday at Farmgate park of the city at 11.30 a.m. Abul Khayer of Tejgaon PS took him to the Dhaka Medical Hospital and doctors declared him dead.

Our Khulna correspondent reported that the cold wave has claimed the lives of 15 people during the last eight days in Keshabpur Unazilla of Jessore district, and one person died in Bagerhat. Over 400 people, including children, are undergoing medical treatment in Keshabpur and Jessore with different cold-related diseases.

Those who have died are Sarat Das,85, Komarpole village, Mozaher Mollah,90, of Bhalukghar, Kamu Bibi,74, of Bhogati, Yasin Morol,91, of Bhogati, Rabbi,1, son of Nurul Islam of Bhogati, Bilashi,82,of Bhogati, Dulal Mandal,55,of Patharghata, Kalipada,104, of Mirzanagar, Nitay Ghosh,76,of Satbaria, Momtaz Ali,69, of Athanda, Akbar Ali,76, of Jhikre, Mahajan Morol,72, of Nipakathi, Akher Bibi,90, of Bhogati, and a nine month old son of Buddhadeb of Bhogati.

Our Barisal correspondent reported that the cold wave claimed 13 lives in Barisal and other southern districts over the last few days.

They are identified as Harolal Roy,60, and Sharat Bala,30, of Agailjhora, Anil Hazra,49, of Paisarhaat, Asia Khatun,46, Ahad Ali,76, Amzad,60, and Jogesh Bala,80, of Katalia in Jhalakathi, Issa Mollah,70, Ayub Ali,80, of Betagi, Barguna, Kalachan Das,60,and Khalek,60, of Dumki, Patuakhali, Alema Khatun,70,and Rabi Kanta Shil, 75, of Borhanuddin, Bhola.

Our Rajshahi Correspondent reported that there is a heavy rush of poor people from Panchaghar, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur and Rangpur region in the city. At least 9 persons died of cold in the last 48 hours.

According to sources in Rajshahi Central Jail, a prisoner, Manjur Hossain,60, and a constable Anwar Hossain,35, died of cold on Tuesday. Sources in different wards in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital informed that at least seven persons died in the last 48 hours. They were identified as Ramapada,60, Golam Mustafa, 55, Maya Das, 70, Tajur Mandal,75, Azhar Ali, 60, Nittay Babu,55, and Rashid, 60.

At least four people died in the last 36 hours in Sirajganj and eight in Gaibandha.

According to UNB, an elderly woman, Abishkar Begum, 75, died Tuesday of severe cold at village Diara Chandi Polda in Sadar upazila of Manikganj.