Severe cold paralyses normal life in north

A Correspondent SIRAJGANJ, Dec 26: A biting cold in 16 northern districts of the country especially nearest areas of the Himalayan mountains, is causing untold suffering to the poor and ultra-poor people. Cold related diseases like fever, cough, diarrhoea, pneumonia and dysentery have been spreading out alarmingly among the people including children and elderly people. Due to the prevailing cold wave, the normal life of people in 16 districts like Pabna, Sirajganj, Natore, Bogra, Naogaon, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Kurigram, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Joypurhat, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj has become paralysed. The unfavorable weather has become cause of concern for the farmers in the region. They are apprehending that cold and dense fogs may damage the current Rabi-crops. Meanwhile, many seedbeds and vegetable fields have turned yellowish. Agriculture Extension Department (AED) officials and farmers in the region said that this is the peak season of Aman paddy harvesting. But, the harvesting activities are also hampered seriously, as the farmers cannot get to the fields due to severe cold along with chilly wind. Sources said that, demand for warm clothes has increased among the people following the attack of severe cold. During a visit to different Chars in Jamuna river in the last two days, this correspondent found that many people were trying to cope with the cold by burning straws and woods. They said, nobody came to them to help with warm clothes. While contacted over cell phone, Sirajganj, Pabna, Bogra and Natore district administrations' officials said that, they have already written to high ups authorities demanding necessary warm clothes for the distress people. But, yet to get sanction, they added.