The chill of northern winds has wrapped Panchagarh in a blanket of fog and dew, turning early mornings into a test of endurance for its people.
In Tetulia, the mercury dipped to 10.4 degrees Celsius at dawn on Monday, marking the season’s lowest temperature so far. As the sun struggles to break through the mist, labourers heading out at first light feel the bite of winter more sharply than anyone else.
For three consecutive days, the temperature in Tetulia has remained around 10 degrees Celsius.
Jitendranath Roy, acting officer of the local weather office, said the mercury may drop further in the coming days. Being very close to the Himalayas, temperatures fluctuate frequently in the northern parts of Bangladesh.
Labourers who go out early in search of work continue to suffer greatly. In recent days, the intensity of the cold has increased, leading to a rise in cold-related patients at Panchagarh Sadar Hospital and four upazila health complexes. The cold has also had adverse effects on agriculture and domestic animals in various areas.
Nur Islam, a resident of Shalbahan in Tetulia, said, “We cannot carry out our work properly because of the cold. It is very difficult to go to the fields in the morning.”
Ayub Ali, a van puller from the Boda Sakoa area, said, “Because of the biting cold, we cannot go outside properly in the morning. From evening until the next morning, we suffer a lot as this is the time when the cold is felt most.”
However, when the sun appears during the day, the cold is not felt as much. The Tetulia Weather Observation Centre recorded the highest daytime temperature at 26.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
Meanwhile, shops selling winter clothes and traditional winter cakes (pitha-puli) have started to draw crowds. Markets and roadside stalls are becoming lively. Deputy Commissioner Kazi Sayemuzzaman said, “So far, Tk 30 lakh has been allocated by the government for the poor. With this fund, winter clothes have been purchased and sent to five upazilas of the district for distribution. In addition, an application has been sent to the relevant ministry seeking more winter clothes so that the cold-stricken people do not suffer.”
