What chillier winter with cold waves mean to the poor

It is hard to remember when Agrahayan was this chilly last time. Senior citizens may recollect that in the 50s and 60s of the past millennium, it was harvesting time of the main crop Aman paddy. In the plain lands of southern Bangladesh, paddy fields still remained submerged and the local varieties of paddy had long stalks to cope with the rising water levels from Shraban to Bhadra. Only in Ashwin did the water show the sign of receding and in Kartik water in the submerged areas turned discoloured looking somewhat reddish or in worst case scenario blackish. Water became contaminated because of rotten weeds spreading a foul odour.

After harvesting paddy, farmers brought the sheaves on boats and then carried those on their heads to stack in a neat arrangement on lawn of the owners of the land from which those were reaped. By the time they did this, it was late afternoon, at times evening even. The reapers did their work while their bare torsos or scantly covered bodies shivered with chill. Agrahayan was certainly colder than what Bangladesh has been experiencing over the past three or four decades. This year gives the impression that an Agrahayan has been forked out of the past. No, it does not give one the experience of time travel but at least for a senior citizen, it can be a journey down the memory lane.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) confirms the anticipation of a chillier winter this time as well. What is more concerning is that the Met office has a projection for eight to 10 cold waves that may sweep across the country, particularly the northern, north-western, north-eastern and the central regions. Two to three of those could turn into severe cold waves with temperature dipping as low as 4.0 degree Celsius. This certainly does not augur well for the poorer segments of people who live in shacks or houses that cannot stop the biting chill from entering the rooms with vulnerable fences.

Already in the country's north, particularly in Dinajpur, temperature is reported to have dropped nearly to 10 degree Celsius. There is fog all around. But this is not even the month of Poush which heralds winter. In the past, Magh used to take winter to its peak but from the second week, Poush also started gnawing its teeth into the skin of people and animals. So, is this shift of weather just a reminder of the days gone by or the advent of a fresh cycle of comparable weather pattern? Weathermen can present a projection of weather for three months but the cycle of weather is a far bigger issue.

This year monsoon extended beyond its realm and was far wetter than those of at least past two decades. Even last year, winter had an extended period than in many years before it. If rainfalls are heavier and for an extended period, they cool the earth below. Maybe, this cooling process has something to do with the early return of winter in this part of the world. Had there been no projection of cold waves, the chill would be quite enjoyable with many of the season's bounties. Anyway, human body has its own mechanism to adapt with weather.

In the 50s or 60s of the past century, villagers in the country had no idea of what warm clothes really meant. Usually a woollen or fabric wrapper (chadar or shawl) did the job of protecting one from the intense cold. Today, thanks to the readymade garment industry, warm clothes in many shapes and styles are readily available and at reasonably cheap prices. But the poor have become poorer still with prolonged deficiency in protein contents in foods they have been eating under the compulsion of inflationary stress. They cannot afford the cheaper warm clothes available in the market.

So the next two to three months will be highly challenging for the street children, floating people in urban centres and poor people in villages to survive the cold waves poised to strike. Now before this turns out to be a health emergency, the administration, charitable organisations, NGOs, philanthropists and student organisations should embark on distribution of warm clothes including blankets. Such welfare programmes can go a long way in mitigating the sufferings of the poor and the vulnerable and even saving lives. Time is precious here. The poor have to work even when weather is adverse. If they are provided with some warm clothes earlier to defend themselves against the severe cold, they can continue with their livelihoods.

Inequality in society gets exposed in uglier forms in societies where humanity fails. This country must not be branded as one of those. Unfortunately, the eagerness and commitment to embark on relief or aid works as was evident in the past have waned considerably. People with the financial ability to help others seem to have become miserly and selfish. The last time they rose to the duty's call was during the pandemic but then there was an about-turn. Hopefully, this time their response to the looming emergency will be more positive.