Fog, bitter cold grip BD, low income people suffer most

Most parts of the country, including capital Dhaka, were blanketed in fog on Monday, experiencing a bitter cold spell in 21 districts. However, Dhaka and almost all districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions are badly affected by cold waves.

"Dhaka experienced a bitter cold spell from Sunday night, with Mondays temperature plunging to 12.3 degrees Celsius, the lowest in the capital this winter. Temperatures have dropped at all stations," said Omar Faruk of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

The BMD forecasts a potential 1 to 2 degree drop in Dhakas nighttime temperature continuing for a few days.
The bulletin also forecast that rain is likely to occur at one or two places over Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions. Weather may remain mainly dry with partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.

Within an 18-hour gap, the temperature in Dhaka decreased over two degrees Celsius, Meteorologist Omar Faruk said. Monday mornings temperature was 12.3 degrees Celsius after being 14.4 degrees on Sunday.

"After a slight rise, temperatures across Bangladesh are falling again, causing foggy conditions in Dhaka and various regions even during daytime. Temperatures in 10 regions fell below 12°C: 10.4°C in Chuadanga, 10.7°C in Rajshahi, 10.8°C in Dinajpur, 11.2°C in Ishwardi, 11.2°C in Sreemangal, 11.4°C in Rajarhat, 11.5°C in Badalgachi and Nikli, and 12°C in Dimla," a BMD report said.

The low-income population is most affected by cold weather. In mild to moderate cold spells, the elderly, workers, and children suffer. Weather forecasters say hard days are coming.

Government and private initiatives provide warm clothes to people suffering from cold waves, but that is not enough. Many do not get help from these initiatives. Besides, there are questions about the availability of medical services in rural areas during winter, activist Khushi Kabir said.

She added that children, highly vulnerable to different cold-related diseases, are double sufferers. Children living in open spaces, like near Kamalapur Station, are worst affected in the capital. We do not know how much these children are impacted and suffer.

As per Dhaka Shishu Hospital records, most outdoor patients recently suffered cold-related diseases, chiefly prolonged coughs in recent days.

In winter, common cold diseases affecting children include bronchiolitis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, sore throat, asthma, earache, whooping cough, stomach flu or viral diarrhea, and scabies. However, the picture is bleaker outside Dhaka, especially up north.

A September 2023 study in Environmental Research and Public Health said 1,249 people died over 13 winter seasons from 2009-2021 in Bangladesh.

"Mortality was highest in 2011-2012 with 214 deaths. It was lowest in 2016-2017 with 18 deaths. In 2020-2021, some 52 died," it stated.

Colder weather can increase health problems like colds, flu, heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

Keeping warm with warm clothing and hot meals can help prevent illness in vulnerable people this winter.

The meteorological department said rainfall may occur in some country parts on Wednesday.

To protect children from cold waves, on January 16th the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education issued a circular saying districts can close schools if the maximum temperature drops below 10°C.

Below 10 degrees Celsius is classified as a mild cold wave. If the mercury drops two more degrees, a cold wave may affect Dhaka.

The BMDs long-term forecast predicted cold waves across Bangladesh, with night temperatures already dropping. Cold waves may soon sweep some areas, it said.