BANGLADESH had traditionally been a tropical country with moderate winter. However during the last few years the country had experienced spells of severe cold waves that caused serious disruption to livelihoods and distress to the affected people. In January 2010 northern and southwest parts of the country experienced a rapid fall in temperature with cold winds and dense fog resulting in significant rise of respiratory illnesses, and in some cases deaths, while in January 2011 the Meteorological Department recorded the temperature as 2 to 5 degrees Celsius lower than the normal average temperature (about 10°C) during this time of the year.
Villagers and poor city dwellers are the worst sufferers as they can not afford to have sufficient winter clothes and blankets to fight the biting cold. The temperature of the country had been reducing particularly in the northern districts and according to meteorologists, the cold wave may continue for a few more days. Experts call it an effect of global warming. We are not actually conscious of protecting the environment rather we are actually destroying it by setting up industries that emit various gases including sulfur dioxide which is harmful for everyone. There had been a change in world climate due to environmental pollution and unless it is addressed further calamities are likely to occur. The impact of cold waves is as notorious as other regular natural calamities of Bangladesh as far as the damage, distress and death toll are concerned. When we go through newspapers, we see how hapless people had been spending their days and nights in winter. The government should take some effective steps in this regard and arrange to distribute winter clothes and blankets among the poor and the distressed. I would like to request our Prime Minister to kindly look into the matter and alleviate the sufferings of the people.
Sumon Kumar Paul
DVM (PSTU)
Village: Naihati ; District: Khulna
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