ZCZC
BSS-22
COLD-WAVE-WORSENS (with picture)
Severity of cold wave worsens in N-districts
RANGPUR, Jan 6, 2020 (BSS) – After a little respite for couple of days,
severity of the season’s second spell of cold wave worsened today affecting
normal life in the sub-Himalayan northern districts.
According to official sources, severity of cold forced thousands to stay
indoors affecting businesses and normal activities as the sun remained
covered by fog and clouds throughout the day amid blowing cooler winds.
The situation deteriorated causing bone-chilling cold following sharp falls
in the minimum and maximum temperatures in last 24 hours ending at 4pm
reducing the gap between the two temperatures to only 5 to 10 degree Celsius.
The minimum temperatures ranged between 9.6 to 11.7 degree Celsius and
maximum between 16 to 20 degree Celsius today making common life miserable
and affecting activities of day-and farm-labourers in the northern districts.
Met Office sources said the minimum temperature of 11 degree Celsius was
recorded at 6 am and maximum of 16 degree at 4 pm today at Rangpur against
yesterday’s 13 degree and 19.2 degree Celsius respectively.
Similarly, the minimum temperatures recorded today were 9.6 degree Celsius
at Rajarhat, 10.8 degree Syedpur and 11.7 degree at Dinajpur, 11.6 degree at
Dimla and 10.4 degree Celsius at Tentulia monitoring points today.
The administrations, affluent people, trade bodies, banks, voluntary,
socio-cultural and charitable organisations and NGOs have further intensified
distribution of warm clothes among cold-hit people to mitigate their
sufferings.
District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (DRRO) for Rangpur ATM
Akhteruzzaman said the government has so far allocated 69,890 pieces of
blankets, 4,000 packets of dry foods, Taka 10-lakh for warm clothes, Taka
two-lakh for baby clothes and Taka one-lakh for baby foods for the cold-
affected people of the district.
“We have already distributed 97,190 pieces of blankets and 3,300 packets of
dry foods among cold-stricken people as purchase and distribution of warm
clothes, baby clothes and baby foods are continuing,” he said.
Divisional Director (Health) Dr Mostafa Khaled Ahmed said adequate steps
have been taken in all district, upazila and union level health service
facilities to provide proper treatments to increasing number of cold-related
patients.
“The physicians are conducting their duties round the clock in all
hospitals and other health service facilities in Rangpur division,” he added.
Senior Coordination (Agriculture and Environment) of RDRS Bangladesh
Mamunur Rashid said the cold wave situation deteriorated sharply today
causing immense sufferings to common people.
“If the situation continues for a few more days, normal growth of crop
plants can be stranded following failure in preparing their adequate foods as
the photosynthesis process could be hampered due to extreme cold and lack of
sunlight,” he said.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension at its regional
office here Agriculturist Md Moniruzzaman said agriculture officers are
assisting farmers in nursing growing crop plants and Boro rice seedlings to
save those from the cold injuries.
BSS/SPL/MI/MMR/SSS/1803 hrs