Md Joynal Abedin Khan :
Bangladesh recorded its lowest ever temperature in history at 2.6 degrees in Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh district under the influence of a severe cold wave sweeping over 20 districts, mainly the northern region.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Tetulia office Assistant Officer Md Raidul Islam told our local correspondent that the lowest ever temperature was recorded at 8:38am on Monday.
The second lowest temperature in Syedpur in Nilphamari was 2.9 degrees Celsius, while it was 3 degrees Celsius in Dimla, 3.1 degrees Celsius in Kurigram’s Rajarhat and 3.2 in Dinajpur.
In the 24 hours prior to 6:00am Monday morning, temperature averaged to the country’s all-time low, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The weather office considers temperatures from 4-6 degree Celsius to be a severe cold wave. Panchagarh, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Bogra, Pabna, Kushtia, Moulovibazar, Jamalpur, Mymensingh, Joypurhat, Meherpur, Sirajganj and Tangail are currently experiencing severe cold waves, it mentioned.
A cold wave has been sweeping across seven divisions of Bangladesh since January 4. Though it began as a light cold wave (8-10 degrees Celsius), it soon developed into a medium cold wave (6-8 degrees Celsius).
The Weather Office records date back to 1948. The previously record was 2.8 degrees Celsius in Srimongal, which dated back to February 4, 1968, he said.
There may be a slight change in the next 48 hours and night temperatures may rise later on in the week, according to him.
Fog is an everyday occurrence from midnight to morning in winter. But, according to Monday’s weather bulletin, it may linger in parts of the country from Tuesday.
At least 13 people, including 7 babies, died in Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Nilphamari, Kurgram, Rajshai and Dinajpur due to the cold-related diseases, reports our local correspondents.
The bone-chilling cold coupled with thick fogs is forcing people to stay inside of houses for the second consecutive day yesterday hampering normal activities in northern districts.
In Panchagarh, a baby died in diarrhea in Satmora Union in Panchagarh sada upazila.
A total of 28,000 blankets and warm clothes were distributed among severely cold hit poor people in last two days, said our local correspondent quoting Mohamamd Jahirul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of the district.
In Thakurgaon, Jahura, 70, wife of Mobarak Ali in Sadar upazila and Sakina, 90, wife of Dabirul Islam, of Goalpara in the district town, died of cold related diseases, said Thakurgaon Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Mohammad Khairul Kabir.
In Nilphamari, around 28,000 blankets and warm clothes were distributed among the poor people in last three days, said our local correspondent quoting Mohammad Khaled Rahim, DC of the district.
Meanwhile, several thousand blankets and dry food were distributed among the cold hit poor people in Syedpur upazila in last two days, reports our local correspondent.
In Kurigram, six persons died so far due to the cold wave that has been sweeping over the country, said Resident Medical Officer (acting) of Kurigram Sadar Hospital Dr Jahangir Alam.
Some 57,000 blankets and warm clothes were distributed among the poor people in the district in last three days, said Abu Saleh Muhammad Ferdous Khan, DC of the district.
Relief and Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, said that as a quick measure 29 lakh of blankets have distributed among the poor people across the country.
Mohammad Mohsin, Additional Secretary, Disaster Management planning-2, told The New Nation on Monday evening, “29 lakh blankets and 80,000 dry food packets (Tk 12,00 for per packet) were sent to the severely cold-hit poor people in 20 districts.”
“The district administrations, NGOs, voluntary, professional, socio-cultural and charitable organisations, business bodies, and other institutions have intensified distribution of warm clothes among the cold-stricken people to mitigate their sufferings,” he said.
“Stock of medicines is adequate,” said Divisional Deputy Director (Health) Dr Mozammel Hossain,” adding that steps were taken at the government-run health facilities in all eight districts for providing healthcare facilities to cold-related patients.
