Cold wave eases, to persist for five more days

Temperature has risen slightly from its lowest level in history recorded in Panchagarh's Tetulia on Monday, report agencies.
The overall situation of the cold wave, sweeping over parts of the country over the last few days, is gradually improving as the temperature across the country rose by 1-2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
However, the Met office predicted the current spate of cold wave would continue for five more days despite slight increase in the mercury level across the country.
"Mild to moderate cold wave likely to continue till Jan 14," a Met office statement said Tuesday as a "severe cold wave" still swept over northwestern Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions and western Gopalganj, Jessore and Kushtia districts and southwestern Satkhira.
Moderate to thick fog may occur over the northern part and the river basins and light to moderate fog elsewhere over the country through the nights and it may continue for an indefinite period.
"The weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country during this period," the Met office release said.
The lowest temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius was recorded in Dinajpur district Tuesday morning a day after the country experienced record lowest temperature of 2.6 degrees in Tetulia of Panchagarh.
Besides, Met office Tuesday recorded 5.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga and Panchagarh districts.
The capital Dhaka also saw a rise in temperature -- 10.7 degrees Celsius from 9.5.
The highest temperature in Dhaka was recorded at 18 degrees Celsius. Teknaf in Cox's Bazar with 25.5 degrees Celsius emerged the warmest place in the last 24 hours.
A cold wave has been sweeping across six divisions of Bangladesh since Jan 4. Though it began as a light cold wave (8-10 degrees Celsius), it soon developed into a medium cold wave (6-8 degrees Celsius).
Gopalganj, Satkhira, Jessore and Kushtia are shivering amid intense cold waves, as per Tuesday's weather bulletin.
Mild to medium cold waves are sweeping across Srimangal, Comilla, Chittagong, Noakhali and other areas of Mymensingh, Barisal, Dhaka and Khulna divisions.
On Saturday, Rajshahi and Chuadanga reported temperature below 6.0 degrees Celsius.
The weather office considers temperatures from 4-6 degree Celsius to be a severe cold wave. Rajshahi, Pabna, Dinajpur and Kushtia are currently experiencing severe cold waves.
Temperature may rise by one or two degrees Celsius across the country, as per the Met office's forecast for next 12 hours. Dense fog may engulf some places at midnight.
The northern regions of Bangladesh have been bearing the brunt of the cold waves over the last few days.
Poor people, particularly the farmers and rickshaw-pullers, have been suffering badly due to the shivering cold. Children and elderly people have been the worst victims.
Meanwhile Relief and Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Tuesday said the government allocated 2.81 million blankets and 80,000 packets of dry food for cold-stricken people across the country.
"A total of 2.81 million blankets will be distributed among cold-stricken people across the country," he said. The Relief and Disaster Management Ministry allocated 1.01 million blankets as well as 80,000 packets of dry food and Prime Minister's Office will provide 1.8 million blankets for distressed people.
Maya was briefing newsmen at his ministry on the day.