The cold wave in the country’s northern districts yesterday hit the lowest temperature of the season, 5.3 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi.
The minimum temperature in Dinajpur was 6.7 degrees Celsius while it was 7.1 degrees Celsius in Syedpur, 7.2 degrees Celsius in Chuadanga, 7.6 degrees Celsius in Iswardi, 8.0 degrees Celsius in Rangpur and 8.6C in Bogra yesterday. The capital saw minimum temperatures of 12.5 degrees Celsius yesterday and 14.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday, according to Dhaka Meteorology Department.
Our Dinajpur correspondent reports that at least 10 people including eight children died of cold related illness in the last three days at Dinajpur Medical College Hospital.
In Rangpur, severe cold disrupted the regular life as many could not go out for work or to schools. The sufferers are largely the poor children and the elderly, reports our correspondent.
Sadekul Alam, meteorologist of Dhaka Met Office, told The Daily Star that cold waves are normal during the month of January. Usually, a cold wave lasts three to five days. After that, the temperature starts to rise till another wave hits, he added.
The wind from the Himalayas is causing the cold wave. The weather will remain dry in the next 24 hours with the cold wave prevailing, said Dhaka Met office.
