Even as temperatures have risen in other parts of the country, biting cold continues to grip Panchagarh, which recorded the lowest temperature nationwide on Wednesday.
Being located close to the Himalayas, the northernmost district has been experiencing severe cold under the influence of a mild cold wave. Over the past few days, temperatures in Panchagarh have fluctuated between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius.
According to the Tetulia weather office, the minimum temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius at 9am on Wednesday. Humidity stood at 98 percent, while wind speed ranged between 8 and 10 kilometres per hour, intensifying the cold.
A day earlier, on Tuesday, the minimum temperature in Tetulia dropped to 7.5 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature climbed to 27 degrees Celsius. Such sharp day–night temperature variations have further heightened the severity of winter.
Dense fog has been blanketing different parts of Panchagarh from early morning to late morning for several consecutive days, officials said.
In some areas, sunlight remains obscured until noon. Fog density increases further during the morning and evening hours, causing minor disruptions to traffic on roads and highways.
Low-income groups have been the worst affected by the cold and persistent fog. Day labourers, tea garden workers, and stone workers are struggling to attend work regularly, leading to a decline in daily earnings. Many families are finding it difficult to manage basic food needs.
For the homeless and those living under open skies, winter nights have become extremely distressing. A lack of adequate warm clothing has left them exposed to acute suffering. Local residents have urged affluent members of society and the authorities to step forward with urgent support, warning that winter-related hardships may worsen if prompt distribution of warm clothes and assistance is not ensured.
Meanwhile, health risks for children and the elderly have increased due to the intense cold and prolonged fog. Incidents of cold-related illnesses such as coughs, colds, pneumonia, and respiratory complications are on the rise, with local hospitals and clinics reporting a growing number of patients.
Tetulia Weather Office acting officer Jitendranath Roy said a mild cold wave is continuing in the area due to icy winds and persistent cold conditions.
He said, “At 9am today, the temperature was recorded at 8 degrees Celsius, with humidity at 98 percent and wind speed between 8 and 10 kilometres per hour.”
