Temp dips to 6.8°C in Panchagarh as cold spell prevails

The cold wave and dense fog are likely to persist for several more days across the country, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

The overall weather situation would remain dry with a temporary partly cloudy sky during the next 24 hours, commencing from 9:00am Friday, said the BMD.

Meanwhile, the severity of winter has intensified, disrupting daily life in recent days.

As night falls, the cold becomes more biting, and thick fog continues to cover roads until late morning, with little sign of sunlight.

Low-income and working-class people are bearing the brunt of the cold.

Many labourers are unable to reach work on time, while drivers struggle to navigate foggy roads, often keeping headlights on well into the morning.

The BMD in its forecast on Friday said a mild to moderate cold wave was sweeping over Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, along with the districts of Narsingdi, Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia.

The prevailing conditions suggested it might persist and would affect daily life further in several regions, it said.

It also said moderate to thick fog was likely to form over the river basins of the country.

Light to moderate fog may occur elsewhere during the midnight to morning period, potentially disrupting road, river, and air transports in vulnerable areas.

Temperature trends will show little change at night, while a slight rise in the daytime temperature is expected across the country in the coming days. In the capital, winds are expected to blow from the north to north-westerly direction at speeds ranging between 6 and 12 kilometres per hour, while relative humidity stood at 90 per cent at 6:00am on Friday, reflecting a moisture-rich atmosphere conducive to fog formation.

The highest temperature recorded on Friday was 28.1 degrees Celsius in Bandarban.

In contrast, the lowest temperature was 6.8 degrees Celsius in Tetulia in Panchagarh, underscoring the intensity of cold conditions in the northern part of the country.

To ward off the chill, low-income groups in Panchagarh resorted to burning straw and firewood.

Dense fog blanketed the district overnight, resembling heavy rainfall in its intensity, and continued into the morning hours, leaving roads and pathways shrouded in mist.

Visibility remained severely limited as biting cold swept across the region, forcing residents to endure harsh winter conditions.

Officials noted that temperatures between 6.1 and 8 degrees Celsius indicated a moderate cold wave, which was currently affecting the area. The temperature in Dhaka at 12:00 noon on Friday was 21.4 degrees Celsius.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com