শনিবার, ১৩ ডিসেম্বর ২০২৫, ০৯:৪৪ পূর্বাহ্ন
A moderate to severe cold spell accompanied by dense fog and biting north wind is sweeping over the country, disrupting the daily life of general people.
Mainly children, elderly folks and people living on footpaths or in slums are the worst sufferers while the number of patients with cold-related diseases is spiralling in hospitals across the country.
The shivering cold has also hit hard day labourers and people with lower income across the country as they have no alternative but to find work to buy food for their families amid the harsh conditions.
Moreover, dense fog is severely affecting visibility, triggering long tailbacks on highways, suspending river crossing services for hours, and causing delayed and diverted flights at airports.
On Wednesday, the lowest temperature of 10 degrees Celsius was recorded in Ishwardi of Rajshahi while the highest of 28.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in Teknaf.
Cause of cold spell
The moderate to severe cold spell is caused by lower differences between day and night temperatures, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
About the synoptic situation, the Met office said the ridge of sub-continental high extends up to West Bengal and the adjoining area of Bangladesh while the seasonal low lies over the South Bay, extending its trough to North Bay.
BMD forecast
The situation is likely to continue over the north, north-western, and central parts of the country for the next couple of days, the BMD predicted.
The weather may remain dry with a partly cloudy sky over the country. Moderate to thick fog may occur over the country from midnight till morning, and it may continue till noon at places, the BMD stated in the daily forecast, adding that night and day temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
Hazards for travellers
Heavy fog suspended ferry services in major rivers, including on the Paturia-Daulatdia route, for hours. The visibility over the Padma River dropped dangerously after midnight, prompting ferries to anchor in mid-river, said Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC).
Mohiuddin Russel, manager of BIWTC’s Aricha point, said ferry services on the Daulatdia-Paturia route were suspended at 3am due to poor visibility caused by the dense fog on Wednesday.
Two ferries were stuck in the middle of the river while 12 others were stranded on both sides of it, he said.
Over 200 small and large vehicles were seen waiting on both sides to cross the river, causing immense suffering for passengers amidst the cold. Ferry services on the route resumed at 9am when the fog started to clear, he added.
Meanwhile, ferry services on the Aricha-Kazirhat route were also suspended at 2:15am. Five ferries were stranded on both sides in the morning, said an official, adding that services resumed later in the day once visibility improved.
