Pabna's Ishwardi records season's lowest temperature so far at 8.4°C
Pabna's Ishwardi recorded Bangladesh's lowest temperature this winter so far at 8.4°C on Monday morning, according to the Meteorological Office.
No sunlight appeared throughout the day in Ishwardi and adjoining areas, and officials warned that temperatures may continue to fall over the next four to five days.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The severe cold has badly disrupted lives and livelihoods. Most residents are staying indoors except for emergencies, while working people and day labourers are forced to venture out to earn a living.
On the Pabna-Ishwardi road, CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver Md Shahi said, despite the scarcity of passengers, he has to keep looking for them. "I have had only a single trip to Chatmohar upazila since morning until 12pm," he added.
Elderly rickshaw puller Md Jalal Uddin told The Daily Star that despite the freezing cold, he must pedal to feed his family.
At Ishwardi rail station, trains were seen moving slowly with fog lights on, causing delays of 20-30 minutes. Hasina Akter, Pakshey Divisional Transportation Officer, said meter-gauge trains were running much slower than normal due to fog and cold weather affecting the lines.
Vehicles on the road also moved cautiously with headlights on throughout the day, while some suspended operations altogether.
Bus driver Md Milton Hossain said visibility was so poor that headlights were necessary even in daylight.
Across Ishwardi, day labourers and street dwellers were seen burning wood and paper to stay warm.
Farmers have also been hit hard. "This is a ripe time for onion cultivation. I have already cultivated onions on 40 bigha of land, and I plan to cultivate an additional 10 bigha, but the cold weather has badly hampered the work," said Md Kamruzzaman, an onion farmer in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna.
He added that if the cold persists for another week, it could cause major losses for onion cultivation.
According to the Met Office, dense fog and falling temperatures without sunlight are expected to continue for the next five days, prolonging the hardship for residents and farmers in the region.
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