Cold spell to last this entire week

The ongoing cold spell that has paralysed normal life across the country, especially in the northern region, may continue for the next one week.

"Mild cold wave is sweeping over some regions and it may continue till February 3 to 4," said Ruhul Quddus, a meteorologist of Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

"However, temperatures may slightly rise tomorrow [Friday]. But it may fall again from the next day," he told The Daily Star last evening.

Meanwhile, a weather bulletin yesterday said, "Mild cold wave is sweeping over Rangpur division and the regions of Sitakunda, Sreemangal, Rajshahi, Pabna, Naogaon and Chuadanga and it may continue."

"Moderate to thick fog may occur over the country from midnight to morning," it added.

"Night and day temperature may remain nearly unchanged in the country," said the bulletin that was released at 9:00am with a validity of 24 hours.

Yesterday's lowest temperature was recorded at 8.3 degrees Celsius in Dinajpur, said a report of Met office.

Bone-chilling cold continues sweeping over the northern region, paralysing normal life and causing immense hardship. Sunlight can hardly be seen as the sky remains overcast almost all day long.

In Dinajpur and Rangpur, people from all walks of life are going through hardship due to the bitter cold. The poor are facing a double blow due to shortage of winter clothes.

Besides, hospitals are witnessing a rise in patients with cold-related diseases like pneumonia, diarrhoea, and bronchitis.

"Around 15 percent of patients admitted to different hospitals in our district are suffering from cold-related diseases," said Dinajpur's Civil Surgeon Abdus Kuddus.

Officials of the local administration said they are distributing blankets and warm clothes among the poor.

In Lalmonirhat and Kurigram, people of shoal and river basin areas are passing hard days due to the severe cold.

"We earn our wages on a daily basis. But we could not leave home to work for the last few days. We are struggling hard to run our families due to financial problems," said Hamidur Rahman, 50, a labourer of Mahendranagar village in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila.

Children and the elderly are being infected by cold-related diseases, said Dr Sirajul Islam, superintendent of Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital.

Sources at Lalmonirhat Sadar and Kurigram General hospitals said some 1,250-1,300 people take treatment of cold-related diseases daily in the two hospitals.

Meanwhile, ferry services on the Paturia-Daulatdia route were suspended for around six hours due to thick fog.

"The service was suspended around 1:00am yesterday as the lights demarcating the route became invisible due to dense fog. The service resumed around 7:00am," said Zillur Rahman, deputy general manager (commerce) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation at Aricha office in Manikganj.

Over 400 vehicles, including 300 goods-laden trucks, were stuck at the Paturia end and could not cross the Padma river due to suspension of ferry services, he added.

[Our correspondents in Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat and Manikganj contributed to this report.]