Panchagarh Correspondent

The district of Panchagarh, known as the “Himalayan Princess”, is shivering in the winter cold. A cold wave has been blowing for the last three days.

The people of this northern district are struggling due to the cold and the icy winds from the Himalayas. However, after 10am, the effects of the winter storm from the night dissipate with the touch of sunlight.

On Sunday, the temperature at 9am was recorded at 9.3°C. Earlier, at 6am, the lowest temperature was recorded at 9.5°C. For the past three days, the people of this border district have been facing a dire situation due to the continuous mild cold wave.

Locals report that for the past three days, it feels as though the temperature is dropping to zero at night. Despite wearing four to five layers of clothing, the body does not warm up.

The proximity of the Himalayan Mountains to this region intensifies the cold, as the mountain winds make the chill much more severe.

The working class is enduring increased hardship. Despite the severe cold over the past three days, the cold’s impact fades after 10am due to the sunlight. However, farmers are concerned about the potential damage to robi crops because of the prolonged cold and fog.

At around 9am, agricultural laborer Surendra Chandra Ray from Panchagarh Sadar Upazila said: “Last night it was really cold. But this morning, the sun is shining well. It’s no longer cold. With this kind of sun, it’s easier for us to work.”

Another laborer, Monirul Islam, added: “For the past few days, the sun has been shining well in the morning. But by the afternoon, a cold breeze comes and overwhelms us. The cold from the whole night made my body shiver.”

The cold has caused various winter-related illnesses among children and the elderly. The number of patients at the outpatient departments of district and upazila hospitals has increased. Every day, patients suffering from colds, coughs, pneumonia, and breathing difficulties are visiting hospitals. Only the most seriously ill are being admitted to the hospital.

The acting officer of the district’s first-class Tetulia Weather Observation Center, Jitendra Nath Ray, said that the temperature at 9am on Sunday was recorded at 9.3°C. Earlier, at 6am, the lowest temperature was 9.5°C. On Saturday morning at 9am, the temperature was recorded at 9.2°C, and on Friday morning at 9am, the lowest temperature of the season and the country was recorded at 8.4°C. A mild cold wave has been sweeping across the district for the past three days.