A severe cold wave swept parts of Bangladesh on the last day of the year, disrupting normal life and causing hardship.
According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD,) Gopalganj recorded 7.5 degrees Celsius at 6 am on Wednesday, marking the lowest temperature this season, reports UNB.
A mild to moderate cold wave is affecting Khulna and Barishal divisions as well as Madaripur, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, and Sirajganj districts.
Weather is expected to remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky in most areas.
Moderate to dense fog may occur in many parts of the country from midnight to morning, potentially continuing until noon, which could temporarily disrupt air navigation, inland river transport, and road communication, said a Met office bulletin.
Night temperatures are likely to remain steady, while daytime temperatures may rise slightly though foggy condition will sustain the cold feeling.
In Gopalganj, dense fog and the prolonged cold spell have brought daily activities to a near halt, especially in Kotalipara upazila.
For the past five days, thick fog has blocked sunlight, forcing day labourers stary indoors and delaying farm work.
Farmers have raised concerns that the cold is affecting Boro paddy cultivation in low-lying, single-crop farmlands.
Abu Sufian, an observer at Gopalganj Meteorological Office, said morning humidity reached 97 percent, intensifying the chill.
Though temperatures eased slightly after noon, the cold has hit low-income groups the hardest. Daily wage earners struggle to survive outdoors, livestock and poultry are affected, and children and the elderly are increasingly falling ill, he added.
Many van pullers and labourers were seen lighting small roadside fires to stay warm.
Van driver Shukur Ali, 50, said, "Even in this bitter cold, I have come out with my van to earn a living. But there are no passengers. People are staying home unless absolutely necessary."
Kotalipara Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Kumar Mridul Das said cases of diarrhoea, pneumonia, coughs, breathing difficulties, and fever have increased, particularly among children and the elderly.
"Patient pressure has increased at health centres while limited manpower is making it difficult to provide services," he added.
In Rajshahi, the mercury dropped to 8.4 degrees Celsius at 6 am on Wednesday, the season's lowest in the district.
Rajib Khan, an observer at Rajshahi Meteorological Office, said icy northern winds intensified from Tuesday evening and may continue for several days.
