Winter’s early signs emerge in northern districts; cold-related illnesses rise

Over the past week, residents of Rangpur, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari and Gaibandha have noticed foggy mornings, although temperatures remain relatively mild and sunshine still brings some warmth during the day.

But the changing weather is already taking a toll on public health, with hospitals in the region reporting a growing number of patients suffering from cold-related illnesses, including fever, coughs and respiratory infections.

At Rangpur Medical College Hospital, 382 patients were admitted with cold-related illnesses over the past week, said its director Brigadier Ashikur Rahman.

At Rangpur Railway Station, where some people take shelter, Mokhched Ali says the cold is still manageable, but the mornings are becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

“It is not very cold yet, but there is a slight chill in the morning. Fog covers the surroundings, and the cold seems to be gradually setting in,” he said.

Another person taking shelter at the station, Asia Khatun, said even a little cold wind makes life difficult for people without adequate winter clothing.

“When the wind blows, we feel cold and suffer a lot. There is some fog in the early morning, but the sun usually appears after 7am, bringing some relief. As the days pass, we are becoming increasingly worried about the coming winter. We do not even have warm clothes,” she said.

The changing weather is also affecting people who have to remain outdoors for work.

Rafiqul Islam, a truck driver from Kaliganj in Lalmonirhat, said dense fog often blankets the roads from early morning until around 6:30am, forcing drivers to use headlights and exercise extra caution.

He said visibility becomes poor during these hours, although the weather remains relatively comfortable once the sun comes out.

The seasonal transition is also drawing the attention of farmers, whose livelihoods depend heavily on weather conditions.

Across the Rangpur region, farmers are preparing to harvest Aman paddy, while many are busy bringing the crop home and tending winter vegetables.

They are keeping a close watch on morning fog and fluctuations in temperature, concerned about their possible effects on crops.

Krishab Chandra Roy, a farmer from Kakina in Kaliganj, said dense fog over the past week had made him somewhat reluctant to head to the fields early in the morning.

“It is difficult to work in the fields when there is so much fog early in the morning. However, the sun usually comes out after 7am, and it does not feel very cold then,” he said.

He fears temperatures may drop further across the region in the coming days.

The approaching winter is also bringing business to seasonal clothing markets, although sales have yet to reach their peak.

Moslem Uddin, a winter clothing trader on Station Road in Rangpur, said shopkeepers had started stocking up on sweaters, shawls, blankets and other winter essentials.

“Traders like me have opened our shops with winter clothes, and sales have started. But business has not yet picked up fully,” he said.

While people are preparing for the seasonal change, health concerns are becoming increasingly evident, particularly among children and older people.

Doctors say sudden fluctuations in temperature can increase the risk of respiratory illnesses, urging families to take extra care of vulnerable members.

Dr Tanvir Ahmed, a paediatrician at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said the number of children seeking treatment had been increasing every day amid the changing weather.

Many children are suffering from fever and pneumonia, he said, advising parents to ensure proper care and take necessary precautions to protect them from the cold.

Weather officials say the gradual fall in morning temperatures and changing atmospheric conditions are contributing to the formation of fog across the region.

Mostafizar Rahman, an assistant meteorologist at the Rangpur Meteorological Office, said differences between day and night temperatures, along with fluctuations in weather conditions, were creating favourable conditions for fog formation.

He said fog was developing in the early morning after prolonged cloudy conditions, particularly when clouds cleared and the sky became relatively open.

The changing activity of the seasonal monsoon is also influencing the weather pattern, he added.

Some parts of the Rangpur region may experience a slight chill within the next 15 days, with a possibility of a mild cold wave, he said.

Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Jahangir Alam said adequate winter clothing had been kept ready in every upazila of the division for distribution among poor, homeless and vulnerable people as temperatures begin to fall, reports UNB.