A shivering cold coupled with dense fog pummelled the country, disrupting daily activities and communications by roads, rivers and air and spreading winter-related diseases.

Consumers in Bangladesh are increasingly switching to comforters, quilts and blankets from traditional duvets in order to stay warm throughout the chillier winter nights and amid a change in lifestyle, drawing a substantial investments and big companies to the segment.

The days are short and the sun is playing hide and seek. It is a brand-new year and instead of feeling hopeful, you are feeling rather down.

Dense fog brought misery to thousands of travellers, causing major disruption to flights, ferry services and road transport across the country yesterday.

A cold wave will continue to sweep over the country for another couple of days, according to Dhaka Met Office.