Dense fog and chilly winds grip Dhaka as cold wave descends

Dhaka city has been gripped by intense cold and dense fog since this morning (2 January).

As chilly winds left people shivering, vehicles on the roads were seen navigating with headlights on amid poor visibility. 

Even as the day progressed, the sun stayed hidden behind thick layers of fog.

Asif, an office-goer travelling to Eskaton from Gulshan, said, "I took the expressway in the morning, and the driver couldn't see anything due to the fog. It's probably the coldest day of this winter."

Another commuter shared, "Even when I stepped out at 12:30pm, the sun wasn't visible, and the fog was still quite intense."

Bangladesh Meteorological Department's (BMD) six-hour forecast, released at 7am today, stated that while the weather is likely to remain mostly dry, moderate to dense fog is expected. Winds from the west or northwest may blow at speeds of 6-12 kilometres per hour, and the sky may temporarily remain partially cloudy.

The weather is likely to remain mostly dry, moderate to dense fog is expected. Photo: Md Tajul Islam/TBS

In a 72-hour forecast earlier, the department warned that dense fog would extend the sensation of cold across the country and could potentially disrupt air travel, inland waterways, and road transportation.

Fog may persist in Dhaka and other parts of the country for another two to three days, according to BMD.

Yesterday (1 January), the maximum temperature in Dhaka was 20.7 degrees Celsius, and the minimum was 15 degrees Celsius. 

By 8:45am today, the temperature had dropped further to 14.2 degrees Celsius.

Moderate to dense fog may occur across the country from midnight until noon, said the BMD in its forecast, adding that night temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged, while daytime temperatures may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius.

The direction and speed of wind in Dhaka are expected to be north-northwesterly and 8 to 12 kilometres per hour, respectively.

Cold wave grips Chuadanga 

Chuadanga recorded the lowest temperature in Bangladesh this morning (2 January) at 9.8°C, with the region experiencing a mild cold wave. 

The country's lowest temperature was recorded at 9.8 degree celsius at Chuadanga on 2 January. Photo: TBS

The biting cold and chilly northern winds have severely disrupted daily life, particularly for labourers and homeless individuals.  

According to Zahidul Islam, a meteorologist at the Chuadanga Weather Office, the cold intensified overnight, accompanied by dense fog and icy winds.

Biting cold and chilling winds disrupt daily life in Naogaon

The harsh chill and freezing winds have once again brought life to a standstill in Naogaon, disrupting daily activities and leaving vulnerable groups struggling to cope. 

Day labourers, rickshaw pullers, and low-income workers are among the hardest hit by the frigid weather conditions.

Residents report that the cold has grown more severe since the last two days. Photo: UNB

As of this morning, the minimum temperature in Naogaon was recorded at 10.3°C, with 100% humidity, according to Naogaon's Badalgachhi Weather Observatory. 

The cold has intensified over the past two days, creating a freezing environment despite occasional sunshine.