Human life, agriculture, and culture in Bengal have always been deeply intertwined with the cycle of seasons. Within this cycle, winter holds a special place. Yet today, winter is quietly shrinking. The folk saying “Even tigers flee in the chill of Magh” now feels confined to the pages of books. Reality tells a different story: winter is no longer as long, as intense, or as reliable as it once was.
The experience of Panchagarh in northern Bangladesh—once known for the early arrival and long duration of winter—clearly reflects this change. There was a time when the hint of cold could be felt as early as Ashwin, and biting chill lasted until Falgun. Today, those memories feel distant. After just a few days of cold spells, signs of winter’s departure appear. This is not merely a caprice of weather; it is a clear signal of climate change.
Although Bangladesh is a predominantly warm country, the nature of heat itself is changing. Temperatures are rising, heatwaves are lasting longer, and nighttime temperatures are no longer cooling down to normal levels. In contrast, winter is steadily contracting. Experts warn that if the current trend continues, winter could move close to disappearance by the end of this century. Where once the country experienced 8–10 cold waves annually, that number may fall to just two to four.
The impact of this shift is multidimensional. Winter crop production will be disrupted, disease patterns will change, and health risks for children and the elderly will increase. Biodiversity that depends on fog, dew, and cold temperatures will also come under threat. In other words, the shrinking of winter does not signify the loss of just one season; it points to a broader environmental imbalance.
Most alarming is the fact that human actions are the primary drivers behind this change. Uncontrolled carbon emissions, indiscriminate urbanization, deforestation, and environmentally harmful development projects are making the situation more complex. Yet environmentally friendly policies, increased use of renewable energy, and climate-adaptive planning have not been implemented at the necessary scale.
If winter disappears, we will lose the natural rhythm of our agriculture, the comfort of a healthy climate, and an inseparable part of our culture. There is still time to become aware and act. If nature continues to be ignored in the name of development, future generations may know winter only through history books and stories.
Bangladesh: A snapshot of winter and temperature changeOver the past 50–70 years, the average number of winter days in Bangladesh has decreased by approximately 20–25%. Annual cold waves have declined from about 8–10 to around 4–6.
Meteorological analysis shows that the average minimum winter temperature has increased by about 1–1.5 degrees Celsius. Climate scientists warn that if carbon emissions are not controlled, winter could shrink by a further 30–40% by the end of the 21st century.
-The author is a social analyst
