The first spell of shivering cold paralyzed normal movement of the people across the country creating serious sufferings, particularly in rural areas.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD)'s monthly outlook for January published on Wednesday, the entire country, particularly northern region, is reeling under a sharp drop in temperature as the sun appears lately due to dense fog.
BMD forecasted that one to two moderate to severe cold waves are likely to take place over west, northwest, north and northeastern parts of the country in the current month of January.
Besides, people may witness two to three mild to moderate cold waves elsewhere over the country in January.
BSS district correspondents said many people, mostly children and elderly, are affected by different cold related diseases in different parts of the country due to the prevailing cold wave.
Health facility sources said a good number people, mostly children and elderly people, were admitted to the health centres with cold related diseases.
Thick fogs caused by the cold weather widely disrupted communication systems slowing down speeds of vehicles on highways because of the visibility problems.
In Barishal, the sales of winter clothes, including foreign blankets, kanthas and comforter, has got momentum at present due to shivering cold wave.
Visiting different market places and makeshift stalls in Barishal city and its adjoining areas, the BSS correspondent found that the poor are facing hard time due to the ongoing cold spell, compelling them to buy more winter clothes.
Apart from the warm clothes, including blanket, sweater, blazer, shawl, caps and socks, the sale of comforter has been witnessing a sharp increase since the middle of this week due to sudden fall in temperature.
Government, non-government and social organizations in several districts, including Feni, Rangpur, Jamalpur and Dinajpur, distributed blankets and other warm clothes among the cold-stricken poor and the distressed people.
In Manikganj, the ferry movement on Paturia-Daulatdia route resumed after 6.30am today as the ferry movement was suspended here at 11pm on Friday due to dense fog, according to the sources of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC).
In Chandpur, the common people became helpless in the face of the severity of the winter. Especially, the sufferings of low-income working people have become extreme.
In Sirajganj, the intensity of cold has increased in Sirajganj for the past few days, disrupting normal life.
Due to dense fog and bitter cold, villagers are facing more sufferings than those who are living in towns.
The low-income people have suffered greatly due to the drop in temperature. The lowest temperature recorded in Sirajganj at 6 am today was 12.2 degrees Celsius.
Vehicles are moving slowly on the Jamuna Bridge West Link Highway and regional roads at night and using headlights in the early morning due to dense fog.
In Jhenaidah, the bone-chilling cold wave has left daily wage earners, workers and destitute people in trouble. As the winter has intensified in the district, people are rushing to the warm clothe shops.
Dense fog has fallen across the district of Jhenaidah since midnight on Friday while a cold wind is currently blowing from the north there.
According to the Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature in Jhenaidah on Saturday may stand at 13 degrees Celsius.
In Satkhira, the sun did not appear until 1:45 pm today. The working and floating people are trying to mitigate their suffering by lighting fires.
Zulfikar Ali Ripon, officer of the Satkhira Meteorological Office, said that the lowest temperature recorded at 6 am today was 13.2 degrees Celsius.
BMD today in its weather forecast said mild cold wave is sweeping over the Panchagarh district and it may continue as moderate to dense fog is likely to occur over the country from today midnight to tomorrow morning.
"Moderate to dense fog is likely to occur over the country from today midnight to tomorrow morning and it may continue at some places till noon," said the weather forecast valid for next 24 hours commencing from 9 am today.
It said air navigation, inland river transport and road communication may be disrupted temporarily due to dense fog.
Mild cold wave is sweeping over the Panchagarh district and it may continue while the BMD said the seasonal low lies over South Bay, extending its trough to Northeast Bay.
Due to dense fog cold feelings may persist at places over the country during daytime.
The BMD recorded the country's lowest temperature on Friday at 9.4 degrees Celsius in Tetulia of Rangpur Division while the maximum temperature recorded at 28.2 degrees Celsius this morning.
The Met Office recorded today's lowest temperature at 9.4 degrees Celsius in Tetulia of Rangpur Division and 13 degrees Celsius in Dhaka city.
Source: BSS
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
