The lowest temperature in Bangladesh was recorded in Panchagarh on Friday.
Jitendranath Roy, officer-in-charge of the Tetulia Meteorological Office, said the temperature stood at nine degrees Celsius at 6:00am and fell further to 8.4 degrees by 9:00am.
Cold air from the Himalayas caused the temperature drop, he added.
The district鈥檚 vulnerable communities have been severely impacted by the cold weather.
Many daily wage earners, agricultural workers and labourers have been unable to work as they lack sufficient warm clothing.
Delwar Hossain, a battery-run autorickshaw driver, said, 鈥楧ense fog and wind make it impossible to drive in the morning. Few passengers travel during this time, and my income has dropped.鈥�
Similarly, day labourer Lutfar Mia said,
鈥榃inter reduces work opportunities, and I am struggling to provide for my family.鈥�
Tea worker Aleya Khatun shared her struggles, saying, 鈥業n the morning, the dense fog wets the tea plants, making it difficult to pluck leaves. My hands and feet go numb from the cold.鈥�
District agricultural extension officer Md Abdul Matin said, that despite the cold, the weather benefits agriculture, particularly the cultivation of potatoes, wheat and corn.
Panchagarh civil surgeon Md Mostafizur Rahman said hospitals faced greater pressure on outpatient and inpatient departments as winter-related illnesses were on the rise.
Panchagarh deputy commissioner Md Sabet Ali reported distributing 2,000 blankets through the upazila nirbahi officers of the district鈥檚 five upazilas.
He added that the administration has requested additional allocations from higher authorities.