Commoners enduring the bite of severe cold in Cox's Bazar

Common people are facing the brunt

of severe cold as winter chill is dominating almost everywhere in Cox's Bazar, the coastal district of southern Bangladesh.

Over the past few days, temperatures have dropped, making early mornings and nights particularly chilly. The usual coastal climate has been replaced by a combination of northern cold winds and light mist.

Md. Abdul Hannan, assistant meteorologist at Cox's Bazar Weather Office, said, "Currently, cold winds from the north are flowing into the coastal areas, causing lower temperatures during the night and early morning. This condition is expected to continue for the next few days. However, there is no forecast of any severe cold wave at present."

According to the Weather Office, in recent days, the minimum temperature in Cox's Bazar has hovered between 17°C and 18°C. High humidity in the air is making the cold feel more prominent.

The onset of winter has been particularly challenging for daily wage earners and fishermen. Abu Taher, a fisherman from Kutubdia Ghat, said, "It feels much colder in the sea at night. The wind is piercing. Compared to before, it feels like winter has become harsher."

Rashed Mahmud, a resident of Kalatoli area in the town, added, "In the early morning, it's impossible to go outside without warm clothes. There's also a light mist."

The winter chill has also started affecting tourist spots. Although light fog in the mornings makes the sea view slightly hazy, tourist presence increases as the day progresses. People are seen enjoying walks on the beach, watching sunsets, and taking photographs in the cool weather.

Doctors have warned that such weather changes can increase the risk of cold, cough, fever, and respiratory problems. A physician at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital stated,"It is essential to protect children and the elderly from the cold. Using warm clothing and avoiding cold foods are necessary."

The Department of Meteorology has also alerted locals that the chill may intensify over the coming days, urging everyone to take necessary precautions.

Winter in this coastal district brings a unique charm. With cool breezes, soft sunlight, and the soothing sound of waves, Cox's Bazar has welcomed a new chapter of the winter season.

Our Lalmonirhat correspondent adds: Under the impact of the sweeping cold wave across the northern district, even the sun light is not visible whole day for the last few days, bringing public life to a standstill.

After evening, biting cold disrupts normal public life .Winter begins in the north much earlier than other parts of the country due to the impacts of the Himalayan mountains.

But the poor and common people of shoal areas of the Teesta and Dharla river basins in five upazilas of the district face the brunt of the chill weather here.

Commoners and poor people are gathering at the roadside shops to collect warm clothes to shield themselves against the pangs of biting cold.

Visiting some shops, it was seen that not only poor people but even members of middle-class families were also buying second-hand warm clothes to face the extreme cold weather.

Especially the street people, day labourers, beggars and daily wage earners are worst victims of the severe cold wave.

Several cold-related diseases have also broken out almost everywhere in the district in the past few days.

Especially children and old aged people with asthma and respiratory complications are getting admitted to local hospitals and clinics.

According to the district health department office, 85 patients with acute respiratory infectious (ARI) disease and 261 with diarrhea have been admitted to five upazila health complexes in the last one week until 29 December; while the number was lower in previous week.

Apart from this, a large number of patients are receiving treatment at local clinics and private hospitals.

Dr. Abdul Hakim, civil surgeon of Lalmonirhat district, said a severe cold wave coupled with foggy weather is blowing over the district for last few days causing a surge in cold-related diseases.

Local Met office said that Monday's minimum temperature in Lalmonirhat was recorded at 13.4 Celsius in the morning. The present situation will not significantly change up to 31 December. Night temperatures may fall intensifying cold particularly during daytime.

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