Panchagarh Correspondent:

Despite a slight rise in temperature after more than a week of mild cold wave, the severity of winter has not eased in the northern border district of Panchagarh. Biting cold continued to be felt from early morning.

At 9am on Saturday, the lowest temperature in the district was recorded at 14.3 degrees Celsius at the Tetulia weather observation centre, while humidity stood at 91 per cent.

Although there was no fog, the sun remained obscured until around 10am, and high humidity made the cold feel more intense.

The previous day, on Friday, the minimum temperature was 9.8 degrees Celsius at 9am, with humidity at 73 per cent, while the maximum temperature during the day rose to 25.8 degrees Celsius.

For more than a week, Tetulia had consistently recorded the country’s lowest temperatures, with readings hovering around 9 degrees Celsius over recent days.

During the current winter season, the lowest temperature in Tetulia was recorded on 11 December, when the mercury dropped to 8.9 degrees Celsius, marking the lowest temperature in the country this season.

A visit to different areas of the district showed that low-income and daily wage earners are struggling severely due to the biting cold.

From evening until morning, the district remains wrapped in cold conditions, and since Friday evening, icy winds sweeping across the area have further intensified the chill.

Hospitals are also seeing a rise in winter-related illnesses, with patients seeking treatment at the district hospital and various upazila health complexes.

At the same time, winter clothing stalls and traditional pitha shops have become busier at local markets, reflecting seasonal changes in daily life.

Resident Shahidul Haque of Bhajanpur area in Tetulia Upazila said the cold feels sharper compared to previous days, especially since Friday evening when light winds combined with intense cold.

Echoing the concern, easybike driver Shah Alam from Panchagarh town said passenger numbers have dropped due to the cold and wind, adding that winter brings severe hardship for people like him.

Acting officer of the Tetulia weather observation centre, Jitendranath Roy, said the upazila experienced a mild cold wave from 11 to 19 December.

He said although temperatures rose slightly on Saturday, high humidity has kept the cold sensation strong, and there is a possibility of a moderate cold wave towards the end of December, according to data from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.