The northern parts of Bangladesh have begun to feel the first true grip of winter, with temperatures dipping to 13.5°C in Lalmonirhat on Tuesday.
Between 6am and 9am, the Kurigram Weather Observatory recorded the day’s lowest temperature at 13.5°C.
Locals described the morning cold as so piercing that it “felt as if it were falling like rain,” a poetic expression capturing how suddenly and intensely winter seemed to descend.
Meanwhile, the Tetulia weather office recorded the day’s lowest temperature at 11.7°C at 9am, while it was 12°C at 6am.
Air humidity stood at 79 percent, while Monday’s daytime maximum temperature was recorded at 26°C.
Due to its location near the Himalayan foothills, Tetulia typically records the country’s lowest temperatures every winter.
Poor residents suffer most as the intense cold disrupts daily life. Day labourers, in particular, struggle to reach work on time or perform their tasks in the biting cold. Hospitals are also reporting a rise in cold-related illnesses.
According to the Met Office, Tetulia has been experiencing consistently low temperatures for several days. Daytime highs are gradually falling, and a mild cold wave may sweep the district this month. Persistent fog is preventing sunlight from reaching the ground, keeping the surface cold and resulting in chilly conditions even during the day.
Rabiul Islam, a worker at the Mahananda River in Tetulia, said the cold has intensified in recent days. “We are poor and earn our living by extracting stones. Working in this season is extremely difficult. Every morning we start our work in thick fog and freezing cold,” he added.
Abdus Samad, a van puller in the town, said, “There is heavy fog and cold in the morning. Even if the temperature rises slightly during the day, the cold returns after evening.”
“Life becomes very hard for poor people like us. We would be grateful if winter clothing could be distributed among the needy during this period.”
Jitendranath Roy, acting officer at the Tetulia Weather Observation Centre, said, “At 9am today, the lowest temperature was recorded at 11.7°C. The cold is expected to intensify further, with temperatures likely to drop in the coming week.”
