The country’s lowest-ever temperature was recorded in Ishwardi.

Residents of Pabna are shivering through an exceptionally harsh winter as temperatures continue to plummet across the district. The areas along the Padma and Jamuna riverbanks are experiencing intensified cold, compounded by dense fog, occasional drizzle, and biting winds that have severely disrupted daily life.

On Monday, 5 January, Ishwardi in Pabna recorded the country’s lowest temperature at 8.4°C, according to the Ishwardi Meteorological Observation Centre. Nazmul Hossain, a senior meteorological observer, noted that over the past two weeks, temperatures fluctuated between 12.5°C and 9–10°C, with a marked decline starting from 31 December. He confirmed that Monday’s reading is the lowest in Bangladesh so far this season, slightly lower than 2 January’s 8.8°C.

The extreme cold is affecting more than 700,000 people in the Padma–Jamuna riverine areas, including over 200,000 residents of the chars (river islands). Daily wage earners and low-income households are struggling to cope, as the cold prevents them from working, forcing many into dire conditions. In an effort to keep warm, residents are burning straw and other biomass, while vehicles on main roads operate with headlights on even during the day due to thick fog and poor visibility.

Healthcare facilities are also reporting a surge in winter-related illnesses, including diarrhoea and pneumonia, particularly among children and the elderly. Over the past two days, more than 300 patients were admitted to Pabna General Hospital and various Upazila Health Complexes. Dr. Zahidul Islam, Resident Medical Officer at Pabna General Hospital, stated that 150 patients were admitted in the last 24 hours alone with cold-related ailments.

The Health Department has confirmed that the patient load at Upazila Health Complexes has risen sharply due to the extreme winter. Meanwhile, low-income residents are crowding old clothing shops in town to purchase warm clothes at affordable prices.

The table below summarises the recent temperature trend in Ishwardi:

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to take precautions against the cold and related health risks. The bitter winter shows no signs of abating in the coming days, leaving vulnerable populations particularly exposed.