Fog alert in Bangladesh as Northern districts shiver in cold

Fog reduces visibility on a road in Panchagarh. UNB

Dhaka, Jan 18 -- A thick blanket of fog is likely to envelope large parts of the country in the next 24 hours, the weather office has predicted.

Light to moderate fog is likely to occur at several places in Bangladesh overnight and onto Wednesday morning, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

The mild cold wave sweeping Naogaon, Dinajpur and Panchagarh districts may, however, abate, officials said on Tuesday.

But mild cold waves may occur in parts of Rajshahi, Rangpur and Khulna divisions from January 24 to January 25, said AKM Nazmul Haque, a meteorologist with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Weather may remain dry with temporary partly cloudy sky over the country, while night and day temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

According to the synoptic situation, the ridge of sub-continental high extends up to West Bengal and adjoining areas. Seasonal low lies over the South Bay.

The lowest temperature of the country was recorded at 9.8 degrees at Tetulia in Panchagarh district. The maximum temperature was recorded at 29.2 degrees in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar district, according to the bulletin.

UNB Panchagarh correspondent reports: Panchagarh district has been experiencing the lowest temperature for the last three days.

The district recorded a minimum temperature of 8.7 and 8.9 degrees in Tetulia on Monday and Sunday, respectively.

Jitendranath Roy of the Tetulia weather office, said, “Temperatures may remain unchanged for the next 2-3 days.”

The affluent are buying warm clothes, while the poor -- daily wagers and farmers – are worried. Lack of job opportunities have added to the woes of the daily wagers.

Faruk Hossain, 40, a daily wager in Satmakha village of Boda upazila, said, “We don't have enough warm clothes and blankets. We are the worst sufferers."

This year, the local administration has distributed some 34,000 blankets. - UNB