Jashore records country's lowest temperature for second consecutive day

The biting cold continues to grip Jashore as the district records the country's lowest temperature for the second consecutive day today (27 December).

The mercury dropped to 8.8 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than Friday's 9 degrees Celsius, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

A cold wind from the north has intensified the chill, making life difficult for both people and animals. 

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) classifies cold waves based on temperature: 8.1–10 degrees Celsius as mild, 6.1–8 degrees Celsius as moderate, 4.1–6 degrees Celsius as severe, and below 4 degrees Celsius as very severe. 

Currently, mild cold waves are affecting Jashore, Chuadanga, Gopalganj, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, and Nilphamari, though night and day temperatures may rise slightly in the coming days. 

Fog, however, continues to make the cold feel sharper.

Normal life has been disrupted as residents bundle up in winter jackets and mufflers, and many prefer to stay indoors. Yet, for daily wage workers, staying home is not an option. 

Hundreds gather along the banks of Laldighi in Jashore city seeking work despite the harsh weather, though numbers have fallen by half due to the severe cold.

Sujan Mia of Bahadurpur said, "There has been no work for the past week. Even arriving early in the morning does not help." 

Construction worker Md Minhaj added, "Staying outside is very difficult in the winter, but I have no choice. I have to come out in search of work."

Rickshaw puller Hanef Ali also noted a sharp decline in passengers, saying, "Very few people come out in the winter. My income has dropped, and I am passing the day with great difficulty."

The cold wave has also led to a surge in winter-related illnesses such as fever, cough, sneezing, and diarrhoea.

Doctors are advising residents to drink hot water, wear warm clothes, and take precautions to stay healthy during the chilly spell.