Cold wave sweeps over parts of Bangladesh

A mild cold wave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Pabna, Naogaon, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Jashore and Chuadanga districts, disrupting normal life and causing suffering, especially for children and the elderly.

The cold wave is likely to spread to few more districts and would stay until Saturday, Bangladesh met office said on Thursday.

Temperature in the capital city dropped by three degrees in the last 24 hours. Met office recorded 7.9 degree celcius in Chuadanga the lowest in the country.

The met office in its weather forecast for the next 24 hours, commencing at 9:00am today, said lowest temperature in Dhaka was recorded 13 degree celcius while that of in Mymensingh 12.5, in Chattogram 16, Sylhet 15.8, Rajshahi 9.4, Rangpur 11, Khulna 12 and Barishal 12 degree celcius.

Speaking to Prothom Alo in the morning, meterologist Ruhul Kuddus said the temperature has fallen in almost all over the country in the last 24 hours. The mild cold wave is likely to sweep over until Saturday. The cold wave might spread in some other districts. When the temperature at night falls below 10 degree celcius, we consider that as a cold wave.

He also said the temperature will begin to rise after 21 December and would continue until 26 December. Then it might fall again. Another mild cold wave is likely to sweep over the country in the first week of January.

UNB adds: Light rainfall may also occur during this period, the met office said.

Many people in those districts were seen lighting fires to keep themselves warm as the sun remained invisible for most of the day.

People who live hand to mouth are the worst hit as they could hardly find jobs during the cold snap.

Meanwhile, the number of patients suffering from cold related diseases is increasing at the local hospitals.