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The northwestern district of Panchagarh is enduring severe cold as this season’s lowest temperature 7.3 degrees Celsius was recorded here on Friday.
The mercury has come down to single digits, with the temperature starting to drop and causing the suffering of people, especially children, senior citizens and the poor, as per a UNB report.
The chilly weather has pushed up the demand for warm clothing.
Jitendranath Roy, officer-in-charge of Tetulia Weather Observation Centre, said they recorded the season’s lowest temperature at 6:00 am on Friday. Earlier the lowest had been 8.3 degrees Celsius, a fall of 1.0 degrees Celsius.
A cold breeze has been blowing from the Himalayas due to the fall in temperature, he said, adding that the district was covered with thick fog from night to 8:00 am.
By 8:00 am on Friday, the sun was seen which might help a rise in temperature with the passage of time, he forecast.
According to the district administration, a total of 17,000 blankets have been distributed so far and Tk 3.3 million has been allocated for the purchase of more blankets.
The poor people, including homeless ones, stone and tea workers, and day labourers, have been suffering due to a shortage of winter clothing.
Jipu Islam, a resident from Old Panchagarh area, said the temperature coupled with dense fog suddenly dropped, resulting in immense suffering of marginalised people.
Soharab Ali, a restaurant worker at the district headquarters, said that the fog and wind have badly impacted daily life as his family has been facing financial hardship.