Mild cold wave grips parts of country 

The winter chill has extended its grip across the country with a mild cold wave currently sweeping over many districts, and intensifying the conditions in the north-western regions.

The chilly weather, coupled with low visibility from fog patches, has disrupted the day-to-day activities of ordinary people as well as transport activities. 

Today, despite the presence of sunlight in the morning, intense cold prevailed in various districts, with Chuadanga registering the day's lowest temperature at 9.8 degrees Celsius – the lowest in the country.

Acting officer of Chuadanga weather office, Jaminur Rahman, confirmed the matter to the media.

In Dhaka, the minimum temperature was recorded at 13.8 degrees Celsius. Dense fog coupled with a chilly wind had gripped the city since the morning, causing subsequent sufferings to commuters. 

Clarifying the cause behind the increasing intensity of cold weather, Meteorologist Md Shahinul Islam of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said a ridge of the subcontinental high extended over West Bengal and adjoining areas, while the seasonal normal low pressure lied over South Bay, extending its trough over Northeast Bay. That is why the severity of the cold weather has escalated. 

Consequently, the working class such as day-labourers as well as the destitutes are hit hard by the prevailing cold weather. 

In addition, the number of cases related to cold-related ailments is also on the rise, with the elderly and children being the most affected, according to sources within various districts.

Meteorologist Mostofa Kamal Polash, a PhD researcher on meteorology and climate at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, said the prevailing foggy cold wave conditions would persist over Bangladesh till 7 January.

According to him, thick fog is likely to occur over most districts of Mymensingh, Sylhet and Chattogram divisions tomorrow. The possibility of sunlight appearing over the districts in these regions before 12pm is relatively low.

Also, dense fog is expected over Mymensingh, Kishoreganj, Sunamganj, Habiganj and Brahmanbaria districts, while all districts of the other five divisions may witness the fog at a moderate level. However, the districts of the five divisions may experience sunlight between 10am and 12pm.

On Saturday, heavy fog is likely to occur over the districts of Mymensingh, Sylhet and Chattogram divisions, while the districts of other divisions may experience light to moderate fog.

Palash said on 5 January, there is a strong possibility of the southern districts being shrouded in fog, while the coastal districts of Khulna and Barishal divisions and the districts of Chattogram division may experience fog at an increased level. On the day, the northern districts of Khulna division and all districts of Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions may witness light to moderate fog.

For 6 January, Palash predicted thick patches of fog over the country's central and southern districts, with the density at an increased level over the districts of Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Dhaka divisions.

On 7 January, there is a strong possibility that the entire country will be blanketed by fog, said the meteorologist, predicting dense patches of fog over the districts of Barishal, Chattogram, Sylhet, Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions on the day.