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Temp falls to season’s lowest, Dhaka sees coldest morning

January 24, 2024 00:00:00


Bangladesh experienced its lowest temperature of the season Tuesday, with the capital city of Dhaka also enduring its coldest morning so far.

In the 24-hour period leading up to 9 am on Tuesday, the mercury dropped to 6.6 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga and Sirajganj, marking the lowest temperature of the season, report agencies.

In Dhaka, the temperature plummeted to 11 degrees Celsius, the lowest recorded in the city this winter.

Conversely, the country's highest temperature of 27.5 degrees Celsius was recorded in Teknaf.

Dhaka's lowest recorded temperature was 9.5 degrees Celsius on Jan 8, 2018. On the same day, Panchagarh's Tentulia experienced the country's all-time lowest temperature at 2.6 degrees Celsius.

Other notable low temperatures include 4.5 degrees Celsius in Jashore on Jan 12, 2011, 3.2 degrees Celsius in Dinajpur on Jan 9, 2013, and a pre-independence record of 2.8 degrees Celsius in Sreemangal in 1968.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported that a mild cold wave is currently affecting four divisions and several districts across the country, as of the morning of Tuesday.

This weather pattern, characterized by lower temperatures and dense fog, is expected to continue and may abate in some areas.

According to the latest weather bulletin, the mild to moderate cold wave is impacting Dhaka, Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Khulna divisions, along with the districts of Moulvibazar, Barishal, Bhola, and Cumilla.

"As the day progresses,the temperature is expected to rise slightly, tempering the cold wave in some areas. Over the next 24 hours, daytime temperatures may decrease slightly, but nighttime temperatures could increase by 1-2 degrees Celsius," Meteorologist Bazlur Rashid said.

The Met Office considers temperatures below 6 degrees Celsius in large parts of the country to be a severe cold wave. Temperatures between 6-8 degrees Celsius are classified as a moderate cold wave, while temperatures between 8-10 degrees Celsius are considered a mild cold wave.

Moderate to dense fog is predicted to cover the country from midnight to morning, with fog persisting until noon in some areas. The dense fog may disrupt air traffic, inland waterways, and road connectivity.

Looking ahead, the Met Office forecasts drizzles in parts of Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal, and Chattogram divisions on Wednesday and Thursday, with night temperatures likely dropping again post-rain.

This season, temperatures in December have been slightly higher than usual, but the intensity of winter has amplified since mid-January.

Fog-related disruptions to road, sea, and air traffic are occurring almost daily. The cold wave is causing various illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly, and posing challenges for financially strained people.

Meanwhile, the government has directed the closure of all primary and secondary schools, including madrasas, if temperatures fall below 10 degrees Celsius. Despite this directive, some kindergartens and pre-cadet schools in Chuadanga have reportedly remained open.

Tabibur Rahman, Chuadanga Primary Education Officer, confirmed the compliance with the government's closure directive, citing the severe cold as the reason. The Chuadanga First Class Meteorological Observatory noted a significant drop in temperature over a single day, from 9.5 degrees Celsius Monday morning to 6.6 degrees Celsius Tuesday, prompting residents to stay indoors.

Rakibul Hasan, a senior weather observer, stated, "The district's minimum temperature was recorded at 6.8 degrees Celsius at 6 am and 6.6 degrees Celsius at 9 am Tuesday, with an air humidity of 96 percent." This temperature is close to the district's historic lows, with the ever-lowest being 3.9 degrees Celsius recorded on January 9, 2013.

In Kurigram, the authorities declared the closure of primary and secondary-level schools as 7.5 degrees Celsius temperature was recorded in the district this morning. Confirming the temperature, Subal Chandra Sarkar, a weather officer at Kurigram's Rajarhat Meteorological Office, predicted the temperature may rise after January 25.

Similarly, in Kushtia, Al Mamun Talukdar, a secondary education officer, announced school closures due to a temperature of 9 degrees Celsius. In Khulna, educational institutions also remain closed, with the district Met Office recording a low of 9.6 degrees Celsius at 6 am on Tuesday, marking this year's lowest for the district.

Naogaon's authorities have suspended academic activities at primary and secondary schools due to the severe cold, with temperatures reaching 9 degrees Celsius.


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