Temperatures fell sharply, likely to persist for another two to three

A cold wave sweeping across northern and coastal Bangladesh has pushed temperatures sharply down, intensifying hardship for low-income communities, particularly day labourers, farmers, fishermen and residents of riverine char areas.

Panchagarh, the country’s northernmost district, recorded the lowest temperature at 7.5 degrees celsius in the 24 hours ending at 9:00am today, according to the Tetulia Weather Observatory.

The temperature dropped from 8.6 degrees celsius the previous day, with wind speeds between 6 and 8 kilometres per hour and humidity reaching 100 percent.

Elsewhere in the northern region, temperatures also fell sharply. The lowest reading of 6.7 degrees celsius was recorded in Badalgachi upazila of Naogaon. Thakurgaon recorded 7.5 degrees, Rajshahi 7.6 degrees, Dimla in Nilphamari 8 degrees, Rajarhat in Kurigram 8.5 degrees and Dinajpur 8.7 degrees celsius.

Naogaon’s Badalgachhi upazila recorded the country’s lowest temperature this winter today, with the mercury dropping to 6.7 degrees Celsius, about five degrees lower than at the same time the previous day, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

The Rangpur Meteorological Office said the minimum temperature in Rangpur dropped by 3.2 degrees Celsius within a day, from 11.8 degrees yesterday to 8.6 degrees today.

In-charge meteorologist Mostafizur Rahman said the cold conditions were likely to persist for another two to three days, with temperatures possibly falling further.

The cold has hit char areas along major rivers including the Brahmaputra, Teesta and Dharla particularly hard.

More than 10 lakh people live in over 500 chars across the Rangpur region, where weak infrastructure and reliance on daily labour have heightened vulnerability.

“There is no special allocation for char areas, and many people cannot afford warm clothes,” said Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu, convener of the Kurigram District Char Development Committee, calling for urgent winter assistance.

Kurigram District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Abdul Matin said 25,000 blankets have been allocated so far, against an estimated demand of 150,000.

“We are prioritising char areas in distribution,” he said, adding that further allocations had been sought from the ministry.

Meanwhile, dense fog and biting cold have also disrupted life in coastal Patuakhali.

Kalapara recorded 8.4 degrees Celsius, the district’s lowest temperature in two years, while visibility dropped below 50 metres in several areas, affecting road and waterway transport, according to the Khepupara Meteorological Office.

Fishermen reported abandoning trips to the deep sea due to extreme cold, while many low-income residents were seen burning straw and dry leaves to keep warm.

The district meteorological office said the mild cold wave in Patuakhali may continue for another two to three days.