Chuadanga, a southwestern district of the country, has recorded the season's first mild cold wave, causing considerable disruption to daily life as bone-chilling cold and icy winds grip the region.
"At 9am on Friday (13 December), the minimum temperature in the district was recorded at 9.8°C, with a humidity level of 87%, said This marks the lowest temperature in Chuadanga so far this season", said Jaminnur Rahman, in charge of the Chuadanga Meteorological Observation Centre.
According to the Chuadanga Meteorological Office, the district has been experiencing increasing cold over the past few days, accompanied by dense fog.
On Tuesday (10 December), the temperature was recorded at 15°C, which dropped to 14°C on Wednesday (11 December). By Thursday (12 December), the temperature plummeted further to 10.2°C, culminating in Friday’s low of 9.8°C.
A field visit to various parts of Chuadanga on Friday morning revealed that despite the biting cold, labourers and daily wage earners ventured outdoors for work.
However, the cold weather has severely limited job opportunities, leaving many to huddle around small fires made from straw and kindling for warmth.
Public transport services continued to operate, albeit with noticeably fewer passengers.
A silver lining emerged as the dense overnight fog lifted, and the sun appeared later in the day.
The cold snap has taken a toll on the region’s residents, with many avoiding venturing outdoors in the early hours unless absolutely necessary, instead waiting for the sun’s warmth.
However, the necessity of earning a livelihood has forced others to brave the bitter cold.
Sanowar Hossain, a labourer at a brick kiln in the outskirts of Chuadanga, shared his ordeal: "Every day, I have to leave for the kiln before dawn. My work involves handling mud and water to make bricks. The cold is unbearable, but I have no choice; without work, my family cannot survive."
The severe cold has also led to a rise in cold-related illnesses among the elderly and children in Chuadanga. Hospitals and health centres across the district are witnessing an influx of patients, particularly children suffering from diarrhoea and pneumonia.
