Intense cold wave paralyses life in Chuadanga

Chuadanga, a southwestern border district of Bangladesh, is reeling under the season's lowest recorded temperature, bringing daily life to a near standstill amid biting cold.

Residents are largely staying indoors, venturing out only for essential tasks, with day laborers and the homeless bearing the brunt of the hardship.

On Tuesday morning at 9 am, the Chuadanga First-Class Meteorological Observatory logged a minimum temperature of 7.5°C, accompanied by 97% humidity.

This marks the district's coldest reading this winter. Officials described a mild to moderate cold wave persisting over the area.

To combat the chill, low-income groups have been gathering around bonfires at road intersections, bus terminals, and tea stalls since dawn. Many locals describe routine activities as increasingly difficult in these conditions.

Farmers report numbness in their hands and feet shortly after entering fields, likening the sensation to standing inside a freezer. Despite the discomfort, many head out in search of work to feed their families, often returning empty-handed.

The cold has also strained healthcare services. Hospitals, including the Alamdanga Upazila Health Complex, are seeing a surge in cold-related illnesses. Doctors note that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to pneumonia, respiratory issues, and diarrhea.

Students are facing challenges too, with morning travel becoming arduous due to piercing winds. One student from Alamdanga Government College shared, "I used to take a van or easy bike, but the cold makes it unbearable now. Walking warms the body slightly, but hands and feet stay frozen."

As a result, attendance at schools and colleges has dropped noticeably, while commercial activity has slowed. Shopkeepers report few customers before 11 am, and transactions at banks and markets have declined.

Md. Jaminur Rahman, Officer-in-Charge of the Chuadanga First-Class Meteorological Observatory, indicated that the mild to moderate cold wave could linger until January 11 or 12.