RANGPUR, Dec 26, 2019 (BSS) – The sweeping chilling cold wave forced people to stay indoors and thin layers of fogs kept most of the vehicles off the roads and highways in the northern region till 9am today.
The mercury level dropped further at fewer points during the past 24 hours ending at 6 pm reducing the gap between the maximum and minimum temperatures exposing the poor and elderly people and minor children to extreme miseries.
According to the Met Office sources, the season’s lowest temperature of 5.7 degrees Celsius in the country was recorded today at Tetulia point in Panchagarh where the minimum temperature was 6.2 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
Besides, the minimum temperatures recorded today were 9.5 degrees Celsius at Rangpur, 9 degrees Celsius at Dinajpur, 8.8 degrees at Saidpur, 7.8 degrees Celsius at Dimla and 7.5 degrees Celsius at Rajarhat in the northern region.
Clouds, mists and thin layers of fogs apparently gave most parts of the extreme northwestern region darker look since Wednesday evening as the cold wave continues blowing from the western and north-western directions.
Local residents said the extreme weather aggravated sufferings of those living particularly on the sandy char and riverine areas on the Brahmaputra basin today.
Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Mostafa Khaled Ahmed said the doctors continued to treat higher number of people with cough, fever, asthma and other cold-related diseases during the past few days.
However, Dr. Ahmed said stock of medicines in the hospital as well as other health facilities was adequate and special steps were taken at the government-run health facilities in districts and upazilas to treat the cold-related patients.
Meanwhile, different voluntary, professional, socio-cultural and charitable organisations, business bodies and other institutions are extending their hands in distributing warm clothes among the cold-stricken people to mitigate their sufferings.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer for Rangpur ATM Akhteruzzaman said 69,650 pieces of blankets received so far from the government are being distributed among cold-stricken people of the district.
Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Md. Zakir Hossain informed BSS that distribution of warm clothes continues among the cold- hit distressed people has been intensified further elsewhere in the northern region.
“The government has sanctioned another 40,000 pieces of blankets for distribution among the cold-affected people of Nilphamari, Rangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts in Rangpur division,” he added.
Besides, 8,000 packets of dry foods have also been allocated for distribution among the cold-affected people of these eight northern districts in Rangpur division, he added.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension at its regional office here Agriculturist Md. Moniruzzaman said the cold weather might affect normal growth of Rabi crop plants, including potato and Boro seedlings, if the situation deteriorates further.