Cold waves disrupt life in Lalmonirhat

Arrival of winter with heavy cold wave sweeping over the northern district for the last few days adds to the sufferings of poor people, especially those living in the slum and river basin areas, this year.

Besides, the cold wave accompanied by moderate wind is worsening the life of those living under the open sky.

According to Rangpur Met office, the mercury yesterday went down to 11.2 degree Celsius in Lalmonirhat and its adjoining areas while it was 10.9 degree Celsius the day before.

Cold hit Shamsunnahar Begum, 33, who returned empty handed from a blanket distribution programme in the town on Wednesday, said low income people are waiting for help from the government or non-government organisations as they cannot afford it from the market.

"My husband abandoned me and my two minor children months ago," Shamsunnahar said.

"I do not know how I will save my babies from the biting cold as I do not have the ability to buy warm clothes from the market," she added.

Atiar Rahman, 48, a day labourer of Bowalmari village in Sadar upazila said like him many other labourers cannot go out early in the morning for work due to the cold.

Mogolhat union parishad (UP) Chairman Habibur Rahman said a number of cold bitten people living under the union are still crying for a blanket to save them from the cold.

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Idris Ali said he had already sent a letter seeking allocation of warm cloths to the ministry concerned.