Cold wave intensifies across the country, warns the Meteorological Office

Since the beginning of Poush, the first month of the Bengali winter, the intensity of cold weather across Bangladesh has gradually increased. By the second week, the chill has firmly set in nationwide. Mornings and evenings are now often shrouded in a dense blanket of fog, with the sun making only brief appearances before disappearing again behind the haze. A cold wind descending from the Himalayas has further amplified the winter’s severity, affecting daily life across the country. Meteorologists warn that this wintery spell is likely to intensify further in January.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecast a slight drop in both daytime and nighttime temperatures on Monday and Tuesday. Additionally, a mild cold wave is expected towards the end of this week, with the first week of January potentially witnessing an expansion of cold wave conditions.

Observations from Friday midnight to Saturday morning recorded moderate to dense fog in various regions, some persisting until midday. In the capital and surrounding areas, light to moderate fog was noted in the early hours. Although the sun made a brief appearance during the late morning, it quickly vanished behind the fog. The lowest temperature recorded on Friday was 8.8°C in Jessore, while Dhaka registered a minimum of 13.5°C.

On Saturday, the BMD forecast indicated relatively unchanged temperatures nationwide. Moderate to dense fog is expected in various regions from midnight to morning, possibly lasting until midday, which may disrupt air travel, inland water transport, and road traffic. The pervasive fog is also likely to prolong the perception of cold across many areas.

Life has been particularly affected in northern regions, where dense fog and piercing cold winds have disrupted daily routines. In some areas, hundreds of boats were stranded mid-river due to poor visibility, with ferry services resuming only after a 14-hour suspension.

Regional Minimum Temperatures (°C) Saturday

In Jessore, regular labourers at Lal Dighi gathered in reduced numbers of 150–200 instead of the usual 300–400, many returning home after failing to find work. The cold has also led to an uptick in illnesses such as fever, coughs, colds, and diarrhoea. Meanwhile, the cold spell continues to affect Rajshahi, Rangpur, and surrounding districts, with residents struggling to cope with the piercing wind and thick fog.

The BMD has advised people to remain cautious, particularly the elderly and children, as the ongoing cold wave may lead to further health and transport disruptions in the coming days.