Hosneara Parvin Khuku from Khulna:

The first cold spell of this season has begun adding to the misery of the poor and disadvantaged people in the south-western part of the country including Khulna and neighboring districts. Normal activities of the people have almost come to a halt.

Official and local sources said only fewer people were found out of their homes since last couple of days afternoon. Public places, hats, bazaars, bus terminals and other places turn to deserted land as people cannot come out without emergencies. The day’s works began late while the business establishments were closed earlier than normal time due to cold wave blowing over the area.

Officer-in-Charge of Khulna Met Office Md Mizanur Rahman said over cell phone that they recorded the lowest temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius on Monday (Dec 29) against the highest 16.5 degrees. On Sunday (Dec 28) the lowest temperature of 13.8 degrees Celsius was recorded.

The low-income groups especially farm labourers, fishermen, rickshaw puller, and the people living in road side under the open sky, slums, makeshift houses, river side and char areas (landmass emerged from riverbed), are the worst suffers because of the biting and chilling cold wave.

Sandha Rani, 45, widow of late Gopal Krisno Shil of Khorar Bosti near Sonadanga Bus Station in the city said, “I have been suffering from cold wave for the last seven days as I don’t have ability to purchase warm clothes. Besides, no one of the government or any other non-government organizations has provided me any assistant so far. As I can’t go out for work due to the fog and cold, I have to pass days half-starved.”

Hamidul Haque, 50, a rickshaw puller at Khalishpur area in the city, hailed from Paikgachha upazila said he and other rickshaw pullers in the garage cannot go out for pulling rickshaw due to the severe cold as they do not have sufficient warm cloths.

“Even if one goes out with rickshaw in the city, he can earn only a little as passengers are not available,” said rickshaw puller Saifuddin, 45, of the same garage.

Mafuza Begum, 65, a widow who lives at the River Rupsha’s char area said she was too poor to afford buying warm clothes but the government and non-government organizations did not provide any help so far.

“If I had a blanket, I could do well during this winter. My sons earn by pulling rickshaws but their incomes are too meager to afford anything other than meeting our very basic needs, such as food and daily essentials,” she added.

People in the char areas are trying to keep themselves warm by burning straw and other stems of plants. On the other hand, sales of warm clothes are doing brisk business in the city and other areas of the district as biting cold, has continued to afflict people.

The makeshift warm clothe shops in the town are now crowed with people, particularly those from low and fixed income groups, to buy second-hand sweaters, jackets, cardigans, woolen caps and mufflers for protection from the biting cold.

Only a few people were seen outside their houses while day-labourers and farm workers were passing a hard time due to biting cold coupled with dense fog and chilly wind almost throughout the day.

The quilt markets, on the other hand, are doing brisk business taking advantage of the cold weather. They have increased the prices of their products.

Meanwhile, many elderly patients, attacked with Asthma, Bronchitis, Respiratory Infection, and cold allergies, are also being rushed to the hospital.

80-year old Monowarul Islam near Rail Station slum resident in the city was found suffering from severe respiratory problem catching cough and cold since Monday due to biting cold. None came forward to help us redress our sufferings, said the octogenarian.

In addition to the sufferings of the people, particularly the poor, cultivation, especially wheat, potato, chilli and Irri-Boro and pisciculture has been affected.