Cold wave with dense fog damaging Boro seedbeds

RANGPUR, Dec 28 (UNB): Cold wave coupled with dense fog for last several days damaged boro seedlings on seedbeds in Rangpur division extensively. Farmers in the region became worried as severe cold accompanied by thick fog affected their seedbeds, and turn the seedlings yellowish hampering normal growth. Boro cultivation target in the Rangpur division is not likely to be achieved this season due to acute scarcity of seedlings caused by cold spell and fog, farmers said. Officials of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), however, denied the report of damages of seedlings anywhere in the region, saying that the condition of seedlings would improve with the increase of temperature and getting sun light at least two to three hours a day. For successful implementation of boro cultivation scheme the farmers prepared 39,189 hectares of seedbeds in eight districts in the division, said DAE sources. Abdul Haque, a farmer of Pairabondh village in Mithapakur upazila of Rangpur, said that seedlings on his 25 decimals land seedbeds prepared for transplantation are becoming yellowish due to dense fog and cold. Mazahar Ali, another farmer of Tapodhan village in Rangpur Sadar upazila said his 15 decimal land seedbed damaged due to the biting cold. The sun was not visible throughout the day in the last few days as dense fog kept the sky overcast and it intensified at night all over the northern region. The lowest temperature ranging between 7 and 9 degree Celsius was recorded on an average in the region, according to Met Office. Abdus Salam, a farmer of Ballove Bishu in Shahidbag union in Kaunia upazila of Rangpur, said that he prepared 75 decimals of land for Boro seedbeds for plantation but the prevailing cold spell with dense fog is hampering growth of seedlings. Persisting cold wave with deep fog is also damaging and hampering growth of the seasonal crops, farmers said. When contacted, Deputy Director of local DAE, said that chilly weather and dense fog could not harm seedlings, which already been turned green. Though prevailing cold weather with dense fog is hampering growth of seedlings, but it would not affect transplantation, he said. Blankets distributed Another reports says: Physicians of Rangpur distributed blankets among the cold-hit homeless and destitute floating people at different places here in the city at midnight Tuesday night. Assistant Professors Dr Hamidul Islam and Dr Rehan Uddin Khan of Rangpur Medical College distributed the blankets donated by Professor Dr Mariyam Farooque Sathi of LabAid Hospital in Dhaka. Senior Reporter of BSS Mamun Islam assisted in distributing the blankets among the distressed people, including women and children, on the roadsides at Surovi Uddyan, Paira Chattar, Station Road, JL Roy Road and other areas in the city. The blankets were distributed in a bid to assist the floating and distressed cold-hit people to mitigate their sufferings.