Cold wave disrupts life in Panchagarh as temperature drops to 6.8°C

The lowest temperature in Bangladesh has been recorded in Panchagarh, as a cold wave driven by icy winds and dense fog from the Himalayas has disrupted public life in the northern district.

The temperature dropped to 6.8 degrees Celsius in Tetulia at 9 am on Friday, said Jitendra Nath Roy, chief of the Tetulia Meteorological Observatory.

He said a moderate cold wave has begun sweeping over the district, with humidity reaching 100 per cent.

Icy winds were blowing at a speed of 10 to 12 kph, intensifying the chill.

The bone-chilling winds from the north have further worsened the cold, while thick fog has been enveloping roads and highways from night to morning.

From late night to early morning, the visibility drops sharply, with objects barely visible a few feet away.

As a result, vehicles have been moving slowly on highways, keeping their headlights on even after dawn.

Daily wage earners and low-income people are bearing the brunt of the cold, as many are forced to leave home early in the morning in search of work despite the harsh conditions.

Motiar, a day labourer from the Mannapara area of Boda Upazila, said working in such weather has become extremely difficult.

“My hands and feet go numb from the cold, but if I don’t work, my family cannot survive,” he said.

Mainul, a van driver from the Collegepara area, said dense fog has made driving risky and reduced his income.

“In the morning, I can’t see anything. There are very few passengers, and even then, fares are often not paid properly,” he said.

Ramzan, a resident of the Talma area in Panchagarh Sadar Upazila, said daily life has nearly come to a standstill.

“It’s impossible to walk in this cold. Agricultural work has stopped, and we have to sit by the fire at home,” he said.

Nur Nabi, from Naya Dighi in Boda Upazila, said blankets were no longer sufficient to keep people warm.

“To escape the cold, many people are burning straw and wood on roadsides or in open spaces,” he said.

Meanwhile, hospitals in the district are seeing a surge in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses.

Md Abul Kalam Azad, resident medical officer of Boda Health Complex, said the hospital is flooded with cold-related patients every day, with children and the elderly being the most affected.

Jitendra said temperatures in Panchagarh have been fluctuating over the past few days.

On Thursday, the minimum temperature was recorded at 9.2 degrees Celsius at 9am.

He warned that the intensity of the cold may persist for the next few days due to continued northern winds and dense fog.