Daily life disrupted as mercury dips to 9°C in Naogaon

Dense fog poses a threat to Boro rice seedbeds

Severe cold has brought daily life to a standstill in Naogaon as winter tightens its grip.

Dense fog and a cold wave have also put IRRI and Boro seedbeds under threat.

Children and the elderly are suffering the most from the bitter cold in the northern district.

Furthermore, the number of patients with cold-related illnesses surged at Naogaon Medical College and Hospital and other Upazila health complexes.

Mizanur Rahman, a senior observer at the Badalgachhi Weather Observatory, said the district’s minimum temperature was recorded at 9 degrees Celsius at 9am on Saturday.

Locals said the sun remained obscured by dense fog from Wednesday midnight until Friday evening. Coupled with chilly winds, the intensity of the winter has heightened.

Due to the sudden cold snap, people are avoiding leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary.

Despite the bone-chilling conditions, working-class people are forced to head out for their livelihoods, while buses, trucks, and other vehicles are operating with headlights on during the day.

Abdus Sattar, a rickshaw puller in Naogaon town, said: "It has become difficult to leave the house in the morning. Driving amid this severe cold is painful; my hands and feet shake.

“Since there are fewer people out, my income has dropped by nearly half."

The dense fog is also threatening Boro rice seedbeds.

Palash Mandal, a farmer from the Prashadpur area of Manda Upazila, said: "Due to several days of thick fog, my seedbeds have started turning red. If the fog does not subside, there will be extensive damage."

Humaira Mandal, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said a target has been set to cultivate IRRI and Boro on 192,380 hectares of land in the district this year. For this purpose, seedbeds have been prepared on 8,350 hectares.

The farmers are being advised to cover seedbeds with polythene and keep them submerged in water at night to protect them from the fog and cold wave.

Agriculture officials believe if these instructions are followed, the damage will be minimal. Farmers are also being advised not to plant IRRI and Boro in these conditions, which Humaira noted may slightly delay the cultivation season.

Meanwhile, livestock are being grazed in open fields to gather fodder despite the frigid temperatures.

Vulnerable families are suffering greatly due to a lack of warm clothing. Although on a limited scale, blankets are being distributed by both the government and private sectors in several locations.

Many people, including children and the elderly, are falling ill with cold-related ailments, according to Dr Abu Jar Gaffar, resident medical officer of Naogaon Sadar Medical College.

On average, 150 to 200 patients are admitted daily to the Sadar Hospital with diarrhoea, pneumonia, and respiratory issues.

As of Saturday, 257 patients are admitted, the majority of whom are children and the elderly, the physician added.