The first spell of cold wave is sweeping over the south-western part of the country including Khulna and neighbouring districts, halted the normal activities of the people. Md Amirul Azad, Officer-in-charge of Khulna Met Office said over cell phone that they recorded the lowest temperature at 13.0 degrees Celsius yesterday while it was recorded 12.0 degrees on Sunday. The cold spell with mild chilly wind and heavy fog has triggered cold-related diseases. The number of patients suffering from—cold allergies, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, fever, cough and respiratory complications increased in the upazila and district level hospitals, including Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH), Khulna General (sadar) Hospital, Khulna Shishu Hospital (KSH) with rise of cold spell, said hospital sources.
Acting Civil Surgeon of Khulna Dr Yasin Ali Sarder said, “The cold weather is responsible for such diseases but we have remained alert and are monitoring the situation regularly”. He also asked people to take preventive steps for their children, as most patients are below 15 years.
Several medical teams have been formed in the district and city to face outbreak of these diseases for providing medicare services to patients, he said. Dr Yasin also admitted that hospital authorities are facing a serious setback to treat patients due to lack of adequate infrastructure.
A large number of people are rushing to the shops for purchasing warm clothes to protect themselves from biting cold but the bone-chilling weather causes untold suffering and miseries to the people, especially the homeless and char (shoal) people. But the owners of quilt shops are doing brisk business taking advantage of the cold weather by increasing the prices of warm clothes and quilts.
Official and local sources said only a few people were seen out of their houses while day-labourers and farm workers are facing difficult time due to cold weather.
The administrations, NGOs, voluntary, socio-cultural and charitable organisations have been distributing warm clothes among the distressed cold-hit people to mitigate their sufferings, but it is very insufficient than the necessity.
-With The Independent input
