A biting cold has deepened its grip across Bangladesh as the ongoing cold wave stretches longer and grows sharper, even as Dhaka saw brief daytime relief under clear, sunny skies.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said mild to moderate cold waves are sweeping across 24 districts and are likely to persist for several more days, with further temperature drops expected from Saturday (January 10), including in the capital.
The cold wave is currently affecting the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, along with districts such as Khulna and Moulvibazar, while forecasters warn that multiple cold waves may hit the country this month.
According to BMD data, the lowest temperature in the past 24 hours (until 9am Thursday) was recorded at 7°C in Srimangal, the coldest spot in the country. Dhaka logged a minimum temperature of 12.9°C during the same period.
Dhaka Meteorological Office meteorologist Hafizur Rahman said temperatures are expected to slide further nationwide. "Cold conditions are likely to intensify from Saturday," he said.
Meteorologist AKM Nazmul Haque said on Thursday evening that the five-day forecast indicates the cold wave may continue until next Monday. "Whether it will extend beyond that will be assessed later, but for now the cold is here to stay for several more days," he noted.
On Thursday, a moderate cold wave swept across the entire Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, as well as Gopalganj, Moulvibazar, Cumilla, Feni, Khulna, Jashore, Chuadanga and Kushtia, based on readings from 17 observation stations.
The day's highest temperature was recorded at 27°C in Teknaf, while Dhaka's temperature ranged between 12.5°C and 21.7°C.
The five-day outlook suggests weather will remain mainly dry, with skies temporarily partly cloudy from Thursday to Monday. The cold wave is likely to persist throughout the period.
Dense to moderate fog may form over river basins from midnight to morning and, in some areas, linger until noon. Elsewhere, light to moderate fog is expected.
BMD said night temperatures may fall slightly on Friday, while daytime temperatures will remain nearly unchanged. On Saturday, both day and night temperatures may dip further, with similar conditions forecast for Sunday. Temperatures may remain largely unchanged on Monday.
Meanwhile, a well-marked low-pressure system over the southeast Bay of Bengal has slightly reduced fog density but increased wind speeds, worsening conditions for vulnerable communities.
Across the country, poor and homeless people are struggling to cope with the severe cold, facing a shortage of warm clothing and declining daily income. While government and non-government agencies are distributing winter clothes, many say the assistance is far from sufficient.
In Rajshahi, suffering has intensified amid a shortage of winter wear. District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Md Abdul Hai Sarkar said 32,000 blankets have been distributed, but demand remains much higher.
In Nilphamari, temperatures have hovered around 10°C for several days, leaving low-income residents exposed day and night. In Jashore, biting winds have compounded the cold, while falling income has left many unable to buy heavy winter garments.
In its latest forecast, the BMD reiterated that mild to moderate cold waves may continue, particularly across the Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions. The department also said the low-pressure system over the Bay has intensified into a deep depression and may move west-northwestwards towards Sri Lanka, while a high-pressure belt remains over West Bengal and western Bangladesh.
On Thursday morning, relative humidity in Dhaka stood at 88 per cent, adding to the chill.
