The mercury plummeted to a new low this winter as Rajshahi recorded a bone-chilling 7.0°C on Tuesday, marking the lowest temperature of the season so far.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), this surpassed the previous seasonal low of 7.5°C recorded in Gopalganj on December 31, 2025.
While the northern districts are shivering under a mild to moderate cold wave, the capital saw a slight rise in temperature on Tuesday.
BMD officials said while the cold was currently biting in the northern area, temperatures across the country were expected to fluctuate for the next three to four days before a gradual rise on January 10 or 11.
The 10 districts currently experiencing a cold wave are Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogura, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Panchagarh, Rangamati, Jashore, Kushtia, and Chuadanga.
The common people have fallen into extreme hardship due to the cold wave.
Because of the bone-chilling cold and dense fog at dawn, day labourers and low-income people are unable to go out for work in the morning.
Children and the elderly have been devastated by the intensity of the winter, and the number of patients with colds, coughs, and respiratory problems has increased.
Dhaka is currently gripped by a biting chill that many residents claim is the most intense one they have witnessed in over a decade.
As the mercury takes a sharp dip, the city's rhythm has transformed, blending a sense of cautious survival with the unique charm of a classic Bengali winter.
"I cannot recall such an extreme level of cold prevailing in Dhaka over the last 10 years," remarked Ferhan Ferdaus.
"It is truly bone-chilling. Unless it is absolutely essential, I am staying indoors to safeguard my health against cold-related ailments."
The BMD in its 24-hour bulletin on Tuesday said moderate to thick fog might occur over the country from midnight to morning and it might continue till this noon at places.
Air navigation, inland river transport, and road communication might be disrupted temporarily due to thick fog during the period, it said.
The weather might remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, the BMD stated.
Night temperature might remain nearly unchanged and day temperature might rise slightly over the country, it also said.
Due to the foggy condition, cold feelings might persist across the country, it added.
In its long-term forecast, the meteorological department stated that at least five cold waves might sweep through the country this month.
Among them, one could be a severe cold wave.
sajibur@gmail.com
