Panchagarh district in northern Bangladesh has experienced a sudden drop in temperature on the first day of the new year, following a week of relatively higher temperatures. This drop has brought the temperature back into single digits, ushering in a mild cold wave across the region.
At 9am on Thursday, the lowest temperature recorded at the Tetulia Weather Observatory was 9 degrees Celsius. The air humidity was measured at 94 per cent, with wind speeds ranging from 8 to 10 km/h, which intensified the cold sensation.
The day before, the highest temperature in the district had been 22.7 degrees Celsius.
Basir Alam, a resident of Satmera village in Sadar Upazila, shared, “It’s been very cold with strong winds for the past few days. I didn’t expect it to get this cold again. It’s really hard to get out in the morning without warm clothes.”
Similarly, A. Samad, a stone quarry worker, added, “We have to start work early in the morning, but the cold makes our hands and feet stiff. It’s painful to work, but we have no choice.”
As the temperature has dropped, the number of patients seeking treatment for cold-related illnesses at Panchagarh Modern District Hospital and other health complexes in the district has increased. Common conditions such as colds, coughs, fever, pneumonia, and breathing difficulties are being reported in high numbers.
Hospital sources indicated a 20-30 per cent increase in patients over the past two days, with children and the elderly being the most affected.
Dr Mahbub Alam, a medical officer at Panchagarh Modern District Hospital, noted, “Due to the weather change, illnesses like pneumonia, asthma, shortness of breath, and cold-related fever have risen, especially among children and the elderly. We advise everyone to wear warm clothes, avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure in the morning and evening, and drink hot water.”
Jitendranath Roy, the in-charge officer of the Tetulia Weather Observatory, stated, “The temperature in Panchagarh has been fluctuating for the past few days. Today, the temperature reached 9 degrees Celsius, which falls under a mild cold wave. The cold intensity may increase in the coming days.”
