For the fifth straight day, a mild cold wave has engulfed Panchagarh, Bangladesh’s northernmost district. While the daytime sun provides some relief, evenings bring biting cold that makes life difficult for residents. As the temperature dips, many resort to lighting fires with straw and kindling to stay warm.

According to the Meteorological Department, the lowest temperature recorded in Panchagarh’s Tentulia was 9.5 degrees Celsius at 6:00 AM on Saturday, December 28. The same temperature was recorded on Friday morning. The information was confirmed by Jitendra Nath, assistant officer in charge of the first-class meteorological office in Tentulia.

On Saturday morning, a light mist was observed in various parts of the district, but the northern chilly winds have intensified the cold. This is the third time this winter that the region has been hit by a mild cold wave, causing significant distress to the impoverished and low-income population.

The continuous cold wave over the past several days has forced most people to stay indoors after dusk unless absolutely necessary. Many rural and homeless residents are seen huddling around makeshift fires to ward off the cold. Day laborers and low-income earners, who depend on outdoor work, are among the hardest hit. Agricultural activities in the fields have slowed down considerably. People gather around open fires in yards, on sidewalks, and at roadside tea stalls to find some warmth amid the biting cold.

The cold has also led to a surge in cold-related illnesses. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable and have been the most affected.

Jitendra Nath Roy from the Tentulia Meteorological Office confirmed that the temperature was recorded at 9.5 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, with a humidity level of 99%. He warned that the temperature might drop further in the coming days, intensifying the already challenging conditions.