Rangpur: Normal life continues to be disrupted as a mild cold wave has swept over the sub-Himalayan northern districts for the fourth consecutive day, impacting the daily lives of residents. Despite the sun appearing since noon and a slight rise in maximum temperatures by two to three degrees Celsius, the cold remains intense, compounded by cooler winds and unchanged minimum temperatures.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the poor communities residing near the riverside and char areas of the Brahmaputra basin are particularly affected, with cold winds from the west and northwest exacerbating their discomfort. Many people have been compelled to stay indoors, with business and normal activities partially halted until the sun broke through the fog at noon.
Officer-in-Charge of the Rangpur Meteorological office, meteorologist Md Mostafizar Rahman, noted that while maximum temperatures saw a slight rise today, the minimum temperatures remained mostly unchanged. The cold intensity remains significant, with a minimal increase in the temperature gap compared to previous days.
Today, Rangpur city recorded a minimum temperature of 11.2 degrees Celsius, matching yesterday’s figure, while the maximum temperature rose to 22.4 degrees Celsius from 20 degrees. Other areas such as Tentulia, Dinajpur, Syedpur, Dimla, Rajarhat, Thakurgaon, and Gaibandha also saw minor fluctuations in temperatures.
In response to the ongoing cold wave, district and upazila administrations, along with NGOs, business bodies, and other organizations, have been distributing warm clothes to those affected. Reports from remote areas in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha, Rangpur, Nilphamari, Bogra, and Sirajganj districts indicate that residents’ hardships remain unchanged.
The number of cold-related patients in the northern districts is on the rise, with elderly individuals, children, and babies being the most vulnerable. Dr. Md Gausul Azim Chowdhury, Rangpur Divisional Director (Health), assured that hospitals and health complexes have taken adequate measures to provide treatment, with no cold-related deaths reported so far.
Moreover, Md Shirajul Islam, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for the Rangpur region, stated that the mild cold wave has not adversely affected growing crops, including potatoes. However, continuous cold conditions may impact crop growth and photosynthesis if prolonged. Field-level DAE officials are advising farmers to mitigate potential impacts on crops like Boro seedlings.