A MILD to moderate cold wave is now sweeping through the country. In north-western districts, the temperatures fell below 10 degree Celsius. The capital and the rest of the country started feeling the pinch of chilling weather. Usually, the winter comes with great enthusiasm for the affluent section of the society as they enjoy the warmth of expensive clothes, travelling and socio-cultural events. But the poverty stricken people become terrified as they have no proper clothes, house and medical facilities to combat the cold.
Like every year, the cold wave is causing immense suffering to the people this year too, especially in the north and northeastern districts where children and older people are the worst victims. As the Met Office forecasted the continuation of the spell for a couple of days more, there may be more to be severely affected unless the most vulnerable groups are immediately attended to and cared for. The persistent spell has already disrupted economic activities of the low-income generating working-class and hindered communications owing to dense fog. In particular, it has rendered the poor village people largely unguarded against the biting cold. Conditions of slum dwellers, floating and homeless people in cities are really vulnerable because they are directly exposed to cold.
A contingency plan should be taken by the government to protect the extremely poor and destitute from cold waves by providing them with warm clothes. More important is the need for arranging make-shift shelters for them. It is hard to understand for us, why there are temporary measures every year against the cold-affected people. Why not a long-term plan for them? It would be wise for the authorities concerned to take a package of permanent measures so that poor and marginal-income group people can save them from natural adversities. Special emphasis should be placed on northern districts.
A contingency plan should be taken by the government to protect the extremely poor and destitute from cold waves by providing them with warm clothes. More important is the need for arranging make-shift shelters for them. It is hard to understand for us, why there are temporary measures every year against the cold-affected people. Why not a long-term plan for them? It would be wise for the authorities concerned to take a package of permanent measures so that poor and marginal-income group people can save them from natural adversities. Special emphasis should be placed on northern districts.
