Panchagarh, country’s northernmost district, has been experiencing dense fog as the temperature continues to decrease with the onset of winter.
On Saturday morning, the residents of the district experienced light drizzle accompanied by the fog, which lasted until 9 am.
Due to the dense fog, the streets were deserted and vehicles were moving cautiously with headlights on as the entire district was covered by dense fog.
Despite the fog, some people were seen moving around and small vehicles, including vans and human haulers were seen moving on the roads.
Some drivers of small vehicles were seen sitting idle due to the lack of passengers.
People started using quilts and blankets to warm themselves up.
Due to its proximity to India, the district experiences an early onset of winter and the cold persists until January and February.
Van driver Chaitu Mohammad, 70, said, "We are feeling cold today. The fog is so thick that nothing is visible. I don’t have any passengers, so I am sitting idle."
Saidur Rahman, a pedestrian, said, "There is light drizzle. Due to dense fog, I can’t see anything even a hand’s distance away. Vehicles are moving with their headlights on."
Advocate AKM Khair, convenor of the Bangladesh Environment Movement's Panchagarh district unit, said, "Today, there was sudden dense fog. It feels mildly cold. The dense fog makes it seem like a chilly winter is here."
Md Russell Shah, in-charge of the Tetulia Weather Observation Center, said the met office recorded 17°C temperature in Tetulia at 6 am and 9 am on Saturday.
For the past few days, the temperature has been fluctuating between 17°C and 20°C and the temperature is expected to decrease further, he said.
In Panchagarh Modern District Hospital and health centers in five upazilas of the district, there were an increase in the number of children and elderly people suffering from colds, coughs, diarrhea, pneumonia, and asthma.
