Severe cold has expanded its grip to Panchagarh while dense fog and icy northern winds have nearly paralyzed normal life in this Himalayan foothill district. For several consecutive days, the harsh cold has hit day laborers, working people, transport workers, children, and the elderly the hardest.
On Saturday (10 January) at 9:00 a.m., the lowest temperature in Tetulia was recorded at 8.3 degrees Celsius. Humidity stood at 99 percent, while cold winds were blowing at speeds of 10 to 12 kilometers per hour. Earlier, on Friday at dawn, the district recorded its lowest temperature of the season at 6.8 degrees Celsius.
Although the sun has been visible after noon over the past few days, the biting cold has not eased. From early Saturday morning, roads and highways in both rural and urban areas were blanketed by dense fog. Reduced visibility disrupted traffic on highways, forcing many drivers to move at slow speeds.
The cold and fog have created the greatest hardship for day laborers and low-income groups. In the biting cold, many are unable to leave home early for work, cutting off daily income for numerous families. To keep warm, people in villages and towns have been seen lighting fires with straw, dry leaves, and wood since early morning.
According to the Tetulia Weather Observation Center, temperatures in the district have fluctuated over the past few days. The intensity of the cold has increased further due to icy northern winds and dense fog. The acting officer of the center, Jitendranath Roy, said the situation may persist for the next few days.
Despite the severe cold causing extreme suffering in Panchagarh, concerns are growing among working people as winter clothing assistance has yet to reach them in adequate quantities.