Wintry chill hits city, elsewhere as fog blankets sun

It feels like the prime of winter now as chill in full blasts made life a misery in Dhaka and elsewhere across Bangladesh as fog blanketed the sun all day long on Thursday.
Falling temperatures and icy wind added to woes in public life, as many kept indoors or went out dressed heavily in war clothes, on the third day of the English new year.
Residents, particularly working-class people and the elderly, bear the main brunt of this wind-chill factor of the season.
On Thursday, Dhaka recorded its daytime temperatures at 20.7 degrees Celsius and the lowest at 13.8 degrees.
However, Chuadanga saw the lowest 9.8 degrees Celsius.
The capital had been shrouded in mist since Thursday morning. Added to this, wintry weather multiplied the intensity of cold. The sun was not seen all day.
Due to thick fog, the feeling of coldness may persist in some parts of the country until midday for days.
According to Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures in Dhaka on the first day of 2025 decreased to 5.0 degrees.
Meanwhile, in its long-term forecast for January, the Met office said three to five cold waves might sweep different regions of the country.
Along with this, bone-chilling cold, compounded by icy winds, will continue to persist and the temperature may drop to 6.0 degrees Celsius.
In January, according to the forecast, more than one moderate (6.0-8.0 degrees) to severe (4.0-6.0 degrees) cold wave may sweep western, northern and north-eastern parts of the country.
On the other hand, two to three mild-to-moderate (8.0-10 degrees) cold spells are likely to sweep other areas.
"This winter is likely to experience less cold waves but dense fog will be intensified," Md Bazlur Rashid, a meteorologist, told the FE.
Due to dense fog, daytime temperatures would drop having the chilly feeling, he explains, adding: "Despite having the temperature above 10 degrees, weather feels more chilly due to dense fog."
The changing behaviour of weather is because of the climate change effect, environmental pollution and deforestation, according to the meteorologist.
Furthermore, Dhaka's daytime temperature on Thursday was 20.7 degrees. But it was supposed to be 25 during this time.
A 5.0-degree fall is a big temperature difference in a day or two, Mr Rashid said, adding that the cold temperature would continue for a few more days.
Bangladesh usually experiences winter most in January. The intensity of cold characteristically weakens from the second week of February.

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